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Acts 14-15
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

14 The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul[a] and Barnabas[b] went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them.(A) 4 But the residents of the city were divided: some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.(B) 5 And when an attempt was made by both gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,(C) 6 the apostles[c] learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region,(D) 7 and there they continued proclaiming the good news.

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe

8 In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been lame from birth.(E) 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,(F) 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man[d] sprang up and began to walk. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”(G) 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city,[e] brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. 14 When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 “People,[f] why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.(H) 16 In past generations he allowed all peoples to follow their own ways,(I) 17 yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.”(J) 18 Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.(K) 20 But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.(L)

The Return to Antioch in Syria

21 After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch. 22 There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”(M) 23 And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.(N)

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work[g] that they had completed.(O) 27 When they arrived, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them and how he had opened a door of faith for the gentiles. 28 And they stayed there with the disciples for some time.

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”(P) 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders.(Q) 3 So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters.(R) 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.(S) 5 But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers,[h] you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers.(T) 8 And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us,(U) 9 and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us.(V) 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?(W) 11 On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”(X)

12 The whole assembly kept silence and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the gentiles.(Y) 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers,[i] listen to me.(Z) 14 Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,

16 ‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;
    from its ruins I will rebuild it,
        and I will set it up,(AA)
17 so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—
    even all the gentiles over whom my name has been called.
Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things 18         known from long ago.’[j]

19 “Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from sexual immorality and from whatever has been strangled[k] and from blood.(AB) 21 For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every Sabbath in the synagogues.”(AC)

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers and sisters of gentile origin in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that certain persons who have gone out from us, though with no instructions from us, have said things to disturb you and have unsettled your minds,[l](AD) 25 we have decided unanimously to choose men and send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.(AE) 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled[m] and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”(AF)

30 So they were sent off and went down to Antioch. When they gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation. 32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers and sisters. 33 After they had been there for some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them.[n](AG) 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, and there, with many others, they taught and proclaimed the word of the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”(AH) 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.(AI) 38 But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.(AJ) 39 The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and set out, the brothers and sisters commending him to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.(AK)

Footnotes

  1. 14.1 Or In Iconium, as usual, Paul
  2. 14.1 Gk they
  3. 14.6 Gk they
  4. 14.10 Gk he
  5. 14.13 Or The priest of Zeus-Outside-the-City
  6. 14.15 Gk Men
  7. 14.26 Or committed in the grace of God to the work
  8. 15.7 Gk Men, brothers
  9. 15.13 Gk Men, brothers
  10. 15.18 Other ancient authorities read things. Known to God from of old are all his works.’
  11. 15.20 Other ancient authorities lack and from whatever has been strangled
  12. 15.24 Other ancient authorities add saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’
  13. 15.29 Other ancient authorities lack and from what is strangled
  14. 15.33 Other ancient authorities add 15.34, But it seemed good to Silas to remain there
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Acts 14-15
New International Version

In Iconium

14 At Iconium(A) Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue.(B) There they spoke so effectively that a great number(C) of Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.(D) 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly(E) for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.(F) 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.(G) 5 There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews,(H) together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.(I) 6 But they found out about it and fled(J) to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach(K) the gospel.(L)

In Lystra and Derbe

8 In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth(M) and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed(N) 10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!”(O) At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.(P)

11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”(Q) 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.(R) 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes(S) and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human,(T) like you. We are bringing you good news,(U) telling you to turn from these worthless things(V) to the living God,(W) who made the heavens and the earth(X) and the sea and everything in them.(Y) 16 In the past, he let(Z) all nations go their own way.(AA) 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony:(AB) He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons;(AC) he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”(AD) 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

19 Then some Jews(AE) came from Antioch and Iconium(AF) and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul(AG) and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples(AH) had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

The Return to Antioch in Syria

21 They preached the gospel(AI) in that city and won a large number(AJ) of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium(AK) and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.(AL) “We must go through many hardships(AM) to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a](AN) for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,(AO) committed them to the Lord,(AP) in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,(AQ) 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch,(AR) where they had been committed to the grace of God(AS) for the work they had now completed.(AT) 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them(AU) and how he had opened a door(AV) of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.(AW)

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Certain people(AX) came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers:(AY) “Unless you are circumcised,(AZ) according to the custom taught by Moses,(BA) you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem(BB) to see the apostles and elders(BC) about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia(BD) and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted.(BE) This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.(BF)

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party(BG) of the Pharisees(BH) stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”(BI)

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.(BJ) 8 God, who knows the heart,(BK) showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them,(BL) just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them,(BM) for he purified their hearts by faith.(BN) 10 Now then, why do you try to test God(BO) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke(BP) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace(BQ) of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders(BR) God had done among the Gentiles through them.(BS) 13 When they finished, James(BT) spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[b] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.(BU) 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

16 “‘After this I will return
    and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
    and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
    even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’[c](BV)—
18     things known from long ago.[d](BW)

19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols,(BX) from sexual immorality,(BY) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.(BZ) 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”(CA)

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and elders,(CB) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch(CC) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,(CD) men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch,(CE) Syria(CF) and Cilicia:(CG)

Greetings.(CH)

24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.(CI) 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives(CJ) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas(CK) to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit(CL) and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.(CM) You will do well to avoid these things.

Farewell.

30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas,(CN) who themselves were prophets,(CO) said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace(CP) to return to those who had sent them. [34] [e] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached(CQ) the word of the Lord.(CR)

Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas

36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns(CS) where we preached the word of the Lord(CT) and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,(CU) with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them(CV) in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas(CW) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.(CX) 41 He went through Syria(CY) and Cilicia,(CZ) strengthening the churches.(DA)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 14:23 Or Barnabas ordained elders; or Barnabas had elders elected
  2. Acts 15:14 Greek Simeon, a variant of Simon; that is, Peter
  3. Acts 15:17 Amos 9:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  4. Acts 15:18 Some manuscripts things’— / 18 the Lord’s work is known to him from long ago
  5. Acts 15:34 Some manuscripts include here But Silas decided to remain there.
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