Acts 15
1 And, certain persons, coming down from Judea, began to teach the brethren—Except ye be circumcised according to the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
But certain persons who had come down from Judaea tried to convince the brethren, saying, "Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the Mosaic custom, you cannot be saved."
2 And, when Paul and Barnabas had had no little dissension and discussion with them, it was arranged that Paul and Barnabas and certain others from among them should go up unto the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem concerning this question,
Between these new comers and Paul and Barnabas there was no little disagreement and controversy, until at last it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some other brethren should go up to consult the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem on this matter.
3 They, therefore, being set forward by the Assembly, began passing through Phoenicia and Samaria, fully relating the conversion of them of the nations, and were causing great joy unto all the brethren.
So they set out, being accompanied for a short distance by some other members of the Church; and as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told the whole story of the conversion of the Gentiles and inspired all the brethren with great joy.
4 And, having arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Assembly and the Apostles and the Elders; and they recounted all things God had done with them.
Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they were cordially received by the Church, the Apostles, and the Elders; and they reported in detail all that God, working with them, had done.
5 But there [had] stood forth some of those who, from the sect of Pharisees, had believed, saying—It is needful to be circumcising them, also to charge them to be keeping the law of Moses.
But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees but were now believers, stood up in the assembly, and said, "Yes, Gentile believers ought to be circumcised and be ordered to keep the Law of Moses."
6 And the Apostles and Elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter;
7 And, when much discussion had arisen, Peter standing up, said unto them—Brethren! Ye yourselves, well know that, in days long past, amongst you, God chose that, through my mouth, the nations should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe.
and after there had been a long discussion Peter rose to his feet. "It is within your own knowledge," he said, "that God originally made choice among you that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the Message of the Good News, and believe.
8 And, the heart-observing God, bare witness, —unto them, giving the Holy Spirit, just as, even unto us;
And God, who knows all hearts, gave His testimony in their favour by bestowing the Holy Spirit on them just as He did on us;
9 and made no distinction at all betwixt us and them, by their faith, purifying their hearts.
and He made no difference between us and them, in that He cleansed their hearts by their faith.
10 Now, therefore, why are ye proving God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which, neither our fathers, nor we, have been able to bear.
Now, therefore, why try an experiment upon God, by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?
11 But, through the favour of the Lord Jesus, we believe we shall be saved, in like manner as, even they.
On the contrary, we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus that we, as well as they, shall be saved."
12 And all the throng held their peace, and began to hearken unto Barnabas and Paul relating how many signs and wonders God had done among the nations, through them.
Then the whole assembly remained silent while they listened to the statement made by Paul and Barnabas as to all the signs and marvels that God had done among the Gentiles through their instrumentality.
13 And, after they held their peace, James answered, saying—Brethren! hearken unto me.
When they had finished speaking, James said, "Brethren, listen to me.
14 Symeon, hath fully told how God, first visited, to take out of the nations, a people for his name.
Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.
15 And, with this, agree the words of the prophets, according as it is written—
And this is in harmony with the language of the Prophets, which says:
16 After these things, will I return, and will rebuild the tent of David that hath fallen, and, the ruins thereof, will I rebuild, and will set it up again:
"'"Afterwards I will return, and will rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it up again;
17 That the residues of men may seek out the Lord, and all the nations upon whom my name hath been called, saith the Lord that doeth these things,
In order that the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord--even all the nations which are called by My name,"
Says the Lord, who has been making these things known from ages long past.' (aiōn g165)
19 Wherefore, I, judge, not to be troubling them who, from the nations, are turning unto God;
"My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20 but to write unto them, to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things polluted by connexion with idolatry, from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood.
21 For, Moses, out of ancient generation, hath, in every city, them who proclaim him; seeing, that in the synagogues, every sabbath, he is read.
For Moses from the earliest times has had his preachers in every town, being read, as he is, Sabbath after Sabbath, in the various synagogues."
22 Then, seemed it good unto the Apostles and the Elders with the whole Assembly to send chosen men from among them unto Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, —even Judas who is called Barsabbas, and Silas, men taking a lead among the brethren:
Thereupon it was decided by the Apostles and Elders, with the approval of the whole Church, to choose suitable persons from among themselves and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas. Judas, called Bar-sabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, were selected,
23 writing through their hand—The Apostles and the Elder Brethren, unto the brethren throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are from among the nations, wish joy!
and they took with them the following letter: "The Apostles and the elder brethren send greeting to the Gentile brethren throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
24 Inasmuch as we had heard that, certain from among us, had troubled you with words, dismantling your souls, —unto whom we had given no instructions,
As we have been informed that certain persons who have gone out from among us have disturbed you by their teaching and have unsettled your minds, without having received any such instructions from us;
25 It seemed good unto us, coming to be of one accord, that we should choose men and send them unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, —
we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them to you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have given up their lives in behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
who have endangered their very lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, who also, themselves, by word of mouth, can tell you the same things.
We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves bringing you the same message by word of mouth.
28 For it hath seemed good unto the Holy Spirit and unto us, no greater burden, to be laying upon you, than these necessary things: —
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no burden heavier than these necessary requirements--
29 To be abstaining from idol sacrifices, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication, —From which, if ye keep yourselves, ye shall prosper. Fare ye well.
You must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear of these things, and it will be well with you. Farewell."
30 They, therefore, being let go, came down unto Antioch; and, having gathered together the throng, delivered the letter,
They, therefore, having been solemnly sent, came down to Antioch, where they called together the whole assembly and delivered the letter.
31 and, when they read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
The people read it, and were delighted with the comfort it brought them.
32 And, both Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, with much discourse, consoled and confirmed the brethren.
And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith.
33 And, when they had spent a time, they were let go, in peace, from the brethren, unto them who had sent them.
After spending some time there they received an affectionate farewell from the brethren to return to those who had sent them.
35 But, Paul and Barnabas, tarried in Antioch, teaching and telling the joyful tidings, —along with many others also, —of the word of the Lord.
But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and, in company with many others, telling the Good News of the Lord's Message.
36 And, after certain days, Paul, said unto Barnabas—Let us now return, and visit the brethren in every city in which we have declared the word of the Lord, and see how they are.
After a while Paul said to Barnabas, "Suppose we now revisit the brethren in the various towns in which we have made known the Lord's Message--to see whether they are prospering!"
37 And, Barnabas, was minded to take with them John also, called Mark;
Barnabas, however, was bent on taking with them John, whose other name was Mark,
38 but Paul deemed it right, as to him who had withdrawn from them, back from Pamphylia, and had not gone with them unto the work, not to be taking with them, this, man.
while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.
39 And there arose an angry feeling, so that they separated one from the other: and, Barnabas, taking Mark, sailed away unto Cyprus, —
So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark and setting sail for Cyprus.
40 whereas, Paul, choosing Silas, went forth, committed unto the favour of the Lord by the brethren,
But Paul chose Silas as his travelling companion; and set out, after being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord;
41 and proceeded to pass through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.
and he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Churches.
