Acts 15
1 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."
Then some men arrived from Judea who started teaching the believers, “Unless you're circumcised according to the rules set down by Moses, you can't be saved.”
2 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.
Paul and Barnabas had many arguments and debates with them. So Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go to Jerusalem and talk to the apostles and leaders there about this issue.
3 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.
The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they explained how foreigners were being converted, which made all the believers very happy.
4 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.
When they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church members, the apostles, and the elders. They explained everything God had done through them.
5 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."
But they were opposed by some of the believers who belonged to the Pharisee faction. They said, “These converts have to be circumcised, and instructed to observe the law of Moses.”
6 Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter;
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 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 "It is within your own knowledge," he said, "that God originally made choice among you that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the Message of the Good News, and believe.
After much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me from among you so that the foreigners could hear the message of good news and trust in Jesus.
8 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;
God, who knows thewhat we're thinking, has shown that he accepts them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us.
9 and He made no difference between us and them, in that He cleansed their hearts by their faith.
He doesn't make any distinction between us and them—he cleansed their thoughts as they trusted in him.
10 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?
So why do you want to oppose God and put a burden on the believers that our fathers weren't able to bear, and we can't either?
11 On the contrary, we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus that we, as well as they, shall be saved."
We're convinced that we're saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are.”
12 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.
Everyone listened attentively to Barnabas and Paul as they explained the miraculous signs that God had performed through them among the foreigners.
13 When they had finished speaking, James said, "Brethren, listen to me.
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.
Simon has described how God first revealed his concern for the foreigners by taking from them a people committed to him.
15 And this is in harmony with the language of the Prophets, which says:
This is in accordance with the words of the prophets, as it's written,
16 "'"Afterwards I will return, and will rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it up again;
‘In the future I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen house of David; I will rebuild its ruins and set it straight.
17 In order that the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord--even all the nations which are called by My name,"
I will do this so that those who are left may come to the Lord, including the foreigners who call on my name.
This is what the Lord says, who revealed these things long ago.’ (aiōn g165)
19 "My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.
So my decision is that we shouldn't make it difficult for foreigners who turn to God.
20 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.
We should write to them and tell them to avoid food sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, meat of animals that have been strangled, and from consuming blood.
21 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."
For the law of Moses has been taught in every town for a long, long time—it's read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 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,
Then the apostles and elders, together with the whole church, decided it would be good to choose some representatives and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas, leaders among the brothers,
23 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.
and sent them with this letter: “Greetings from us, the apostles and elders and brothers, to the non-Jewish brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
24 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;
We have heard that some from our group have confused you with their teachings, causing you trouble. We certainly didn't tell them to do this!
25 we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them to you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
So we have agreed to choose some representatives and send them to you together with our much-loved brothers Barnabas and Paul,
26 who have endangered their very lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves bringing you the same message by word of mouth.
So we are sending to you Judas and Silas who can verbally confirm what we're saying.
28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no burden heavier than these necessary requirements--
It seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any heavier burden than these important requirements.
29 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."
You should avoid: anything sacrificed to idols; blood; meat from strangled animals; and sexual immorality. You will do well to observe these requirements. God bless you.”
30 They, therefore, having been solemnly sent, came down to Antioch, where they called together the whole assembly and delivered the letter.
The men were sent on their way to Antioch. When they arrived they called everybody together and delivered the letter.
31 The people read it, and were delighted with the comfort it brought them.
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith.
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 After spending some time there they received an affectionate farewell from the brethren to return to those who had sent them.
After spending some time there they were sent back by the brothers with their blessing to the believers in Jerusalem.
35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and, in company with many others, telling the Good News of the Lord's Message.
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of God along with many others.
36 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!"
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let's go back and visit the believers in every town where we shared the word of the Lord, and see how they're doing.”
37 Barnabas, however, was bent on taking with them John, whose other name was Mark,
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
38 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.
But Paul didn't think it was a good idea to take him with them, since he'd left them in Pamphylia and hadn't continued working with them.
39 So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark and setting sail for Cyprus.
They had such a strong disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.
40 But Paul chose Silas as his travelling companion; and set out, after being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord;
Paul chose Silas, and as they left, the believers committed them to the grace of the Lord.
41 and he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Churches.
Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.
