使徒行傳 15
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
耶路撒冷會議
15 有幾個從猶太下來的人教導弟兄們說：「你們若不照著摩西的規條接受割禮，就不能得救。」 2 保羅和巴拿巴為這件事與他們激烈地辯論，最後大家決定派保羅、巴拿巴和幾個當地的信徒上耶路撒冷去跟使徒和長老討論這件事。
3 於是教會為他們送行。他們經過腓尼基和撒瑪利亞，沿途報告外族人悔改信主的消息，弟兄姊妹都大受鼓舞。 4 他們到了耶路撒冷，受到教會、使徒和長老的接待，並詳述了上帝藉他們所做的一切事。 5 有幾個信了主的法利賽人站起來說：「外族的信徒必須接受割禮，而且還要遵守摩西的律法。」
6 使徒和長老們聚集商議這個問題。 7 經過許多辯論之後，彼得站起來對大家說：「弟兄們，你們都知道，上帝早已在你們當中揀選我去向外族人傳道，讓他們也可以聽到福音並信主。 8 洞悉人心的上帝把聖靈賜給他們，正如賜給我們一樣，以表明祂也接納外族人。 9 上帝對他們和我們一視同仁，祂因他們的信心而潔淨了他們的心靈。 10 現在你們為什麼要試探上帝，把我們祖先和我們不能負的重擔強加在這些門徒身上？ 11 我們相信，他們和我們一樣都是靠主耶穌的恩典得救。」
12 眾人都沉默不語，繼續聽巴拿巴和保羅敘述上帝藉著他們在外族人中所行的神蹟奇事。 13 他們報告完了，雅各站起來說：「弟兄們，請聽我說。 14 剛才西門講述了上帝當初如何眷顧外族人，從他們當中揀選人歸在祂的名下。 15 這完全與眾先知的話相符，正如聖經上說，
16 『此後，我要回來重建已傾覆的大衛王朝，
將它從廢墟中重建、恢復，
17 好叫其餘的百姓，
就是凡歸在我名下的外族人都尋求主。』
這是上帝說的， 18 祂從亙古就顯明了這事。
19 「所以，我認為不應該為難那些信上帝的外族人。 20 我們只須寫信吩咐他們遠避被偶像玷污之物，不可淫亂，不可吃血和勒死的牲畜。 21 因為自古以來，在各城都有人宣講摩西的律法，每逢安息日，都有人在會堂裡誦讀。」
給外族信徒的信
22 最後，使徒、長老和全教會都決定從他們當中選派代表，隨保羅和巴拿巴去安提阿。他們選了別號巴撒巴的猶大和西拉，這兩位都是教會的領袖。 23 他們帶去的書信這樣說：「安提阿、敘利亞和基利迦的外族弟兄姊妹，你們的弟兄——眾使徒和長老向你們問安！
24 「聽說有幾個人從我們這裡去了你們那裡，教導你們必須接受割禮並遵守摩西的律法[a]。他們的言論使你們大感困惑。其實我們從來沒有授權他們這樣做。 25 所以我們一致決定選派代表，隨我們敬愛的巴拿巴和保羅去你們那裡。 26 他們二人為我們主耶穌基督的緣故已將生死置之度外。 27 我們選派猶大和西拉兩位代表跟他們一起去，向你們報告我們的決定。 28 因為聖靈和我們都認為不應把重擔加在你們身上。但請務必注意以下幾件事， 29 要遠避祭拜偶像的事，不可吃血，不可吃勒死的牲畜，不可淫亂。你們一一遵守這些事就好了。祝平安！」
30 他們奉命下到安提阿，召集眾人，交付書信。 31 眾人讀過這封信之後，都因信中勸勉的話而歡喜。 32 猶大和西拉也是先知，他們講了許多勉勵、堅立弟兄姊妹的話。 33 住了些日子後，安提阿的弟兄姊妹以平安的祝福為他們送行，讓他們回耶路撒冷覆命。 34 但西拉決定留在那裡。[b] 35 保羅和巴拿巴則繼續留在安提阿，與許多人一起教導、傳揚上帝的道。
保羅與巴拿巴分手
36 過了一些日子，保羅對巴拿巴說：「我們回到曾傳過福音的各城鎮去探望弟兄姊妹吧，好知道他們的情況。」 37 巴拿巴想要帶約翰·馬可同去， 38 但保羅堅持不帶他同行，因為他在旁非利亞離開了他們，沒有和他們一起做工。
39 二人激烈地爭執起來，僵持不下，只好分道揚鑣。巴拿巴和約翰·馬可一同乘船去塞浦路斯。 40 保羅則選了西拉同行，弟兄姊妹把他們交託在主的恩典中。 41 保羅走遍了敘利亞和基利迦，鞏固當地的各教會。
Acts 15
Good News Translation
The Meeting at Jerusalem
15 (A)Some men came from Judea to Antioch and started teaching the believers, “You cannot be saved unless you are circumcised as the Law of Moses requires.” 2 Paul and Barnabas got into a fierce argument with them about this, so it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others in Antioch should go to Jerusalem and see the apostles and elders about this matter.
3 They were sent on their way by the church; and as they went through Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported how the Gentiles had turned to God; this news brought great joy to all the believers. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, to whom they told all that God had done through them. 5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders met together to consider this question. 7 (B)After a long debate Peter stood up and said, “My friends, you know that a long time ago God chose me from among you to preach the Good News to the Gentiles, so that they could hear and believe. 8 (C)And God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, showed his approval of the Gentiles by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he had to us. 9 He made no difference between us and them; he forgave their sins because they believed. 10 So then, why do you now want to put God to the test by laying a load on the backs of the believers which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry? 11 No! We believe and are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
12 The whole group was silent as they heard Barnabas and Paul report all the miracles and wonders that God had performed through them among the Gentiles. 13 When they had finished speaking, James spoke up: “Listen to me, my friends! 14 Simon has just explained how God first showed his care for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people to belong to him. 15 The words of the prophets agree completely with this. As the scripture says,
16 (D)‘After this I will return, says the Lord,
and restore the kingdom of David.
I will rebuild its ruins
and make it strong again.
17 And so all the rest of the human race will come to me,
all the Gentiles whom I have called to be my own.
18 So says the Lord, who made this known long ago.’
19 “It is my opinion,” James went on, “that we should not trouble the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 (E)Instead, we should write a letter telling them not to eat any food that is ritually unclean because it has been offered to idols; to keep themselves from sexual immorality; and not to eat any animal that has been strangled, or any blood. 21 For the Law of Moses has been read for a very long time in the synagogues every Sabbath, and his words are preached in every town.”
The Letter to the Gentile Believers
22 Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, decided to choose some men from the group and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose two men who were highly respected by the believers, Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, 23 and they sent the following letter by them:
“We, the apostles and the elders, your brothers, send greetings to all our brothers of Gentile birth who live in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. 24 We have heard that some who went from our group have troubled and upset you by what they said; they had not, however, received any instruction from us. 25 And so we have met together and have all agreed to choose some messengers and send them to you. They will go with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We send you, then, Judas and Silas, who will tell you in person the same things we are writing. 28 The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to put any other burden on you besides these necessary rules: 29 eat no food that has been offered to idols; eat no blood; eat no animal that has been strangled; and keep yourselves from sexual immorality. You will do well if you take care not to do these things. With our best wishes.”
30 The messengers were sent off and went to Antioch, where they gathered the whole group of believers and gave them the letter. 31 When the people read it, they were filled with joy by the message of encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, spoke a long time with them, giving them courage and strength. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off in peace by the believers and went back to those who had sent them. 34 [a]
35 Paul and Barnabas spent some time in Antioch, and together with many others they taught and preached the word of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas Separate
36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in every town where we preached the word of the Lord, and let us find out how they are getting along.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them, 38 (F)but Paul did not think it was right to take him, because he had not stayed with them to the end of their mission, but had turned back and left them in Pamphylia. 39 There was a sharp argument, and they separated: Barnabas took Mark and sailed off for Cyprus, 40 while Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the care of the Lord's grace. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Footnotes
- Acts 15:34 Some manuscripts add verse 34: But Silas decided to stay there.
Acts 15
Lexham English Bible
The Jerusalem Council
15 And some men came down from Judea and[a] began teaching[b] the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after[c] there was no little strife and debate by Paul and Barnabas against them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue. 3 So they were sent on their way by the church, and[d] passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. 4 And when they[e] arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of those who had believed from the party of the Pharisees stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them[f] to observe the law of Moses!”
6 Both the apostles and the elders assembled to deliberate concerning this matter. 7 And after[g] there was much debate, Peter stood up and[h] said to them, “Men and brothers, you know that in the early days[i] God chose among you through my mouth that the Gentiles should hear the message of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by[j] giving them[k] the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. 9 And he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 So now why are you putting God to the test by[l] placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same[m] way those also are.” 12 And the whole group became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Men and brothers, listen to me! 14 Simeon has described how God first concerned himself to take from among the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 ‘After these things I will return
and build up again the tent of David that has fallen,
and the parts of it that had been torn down I will build up again
and will restore it,
17 so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles[n] who are called by my name,[o]
says the Lord,[p] who makes these things 18 known from of old.’[q]
19 Therefore I conclude we should not cause difficulty for those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but we should write a letter to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood. 21 For Moses has those who proclaim him in every city from ancient generations, because he[r] is read aloud in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
The Letter from the Council
22 Then it seemed best to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send men chosen from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas who was called Barsabbas and Silas, men who were leaders among the brothers— 23 writing this letter[s] to be delivered by them:[t]
The apostles and the elders, brothers.
To the brothers who are from among the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
Greetings!
24 Because we have heard that some have gone out from among us—to whom we gave no orders—and[u] have thrown you into confusion by words upsetting your minds,[v] 25 it seemed best to us, having reached a unanimous decision,[w] and[x] having chosen men, to send them[y] to you together with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, and they will report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to place on you no greater burden except these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from food sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you[z] keep yourselves from these things[aa] you will do well.
Farewell.
The Letter Is Delivered to Antioch
30 So when[ab] they were sent off, they came down to Antioch, and after[ac] calling together the community, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they[ad] read it[ae] aloud, they rejoiced at the encouragement. 32 Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers by a long message. 33 And after[af] spending some time, they were sent away in peace from the brothers to those who had sent them.[ag] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord with many others also.
Paul and Barnabas Disagree and Part Company
36 And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Come then,let us return and[ah] visit the brothers in every town in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take John who was called Mark along also, 38 but Paul held the opinion they should not take this one along, who departed from them in Pamphylia and did not accompany them in the work. 39 And a sharp disagreement took place, so that they separated from one another. And Barnabas took along Mark and[ai] sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and[aj] departed, after[ak] being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers. 41 And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Footnotes
- Acts 15:1 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came down”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 15:1 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began teaching”)
- Acts 15:2 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)
- Acts 15:3 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“were sent on their way”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 15:4 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 15:5 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 15:7 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)
- Acts 15:7 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood up”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 15:7 Or “from ancient days”
- Acts 15:8 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“giving”) which is understood as means
- Acts 15:8 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 15:10 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the infinitive (“placing”) which is understood as means
- Acts 15:11 Literally “which”
- Acts 15:17 The same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context
- Acts 15:17 Literally “on whom my name has been called on them”
- Acts 15:17 A quotation from Amos 9:11–12
- Acts 15:18 The last phrase of v. 17 and all of v. 18 is an allusion to Isa 45:21
- Acts 15:21 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“is read aloud”) which is understood as causal
- Acts 15:23 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 15:23 Literally “by their hand”
- Acts 15:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“have gone out”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 15:24 Literally “souls”
- Acts 15:25 Literally “having become of one mind”
- Acts 15:25 Here “and” is supplied in keeping with English style
- Acts 15:25 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 15:29 Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“keep”) which is understood as conditional
- Acts 15:29 Literally “which things”
- Acts 15:30 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were sent off”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 15:30 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“calling together”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 15:31 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“read … aloud”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 15:31 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 15:33 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“spending”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 15:33 A few later manuscripts add v. 34, “But Silas decided to stay there.”
- Acts 15:36 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“return”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 15:39 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took along”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 15:40 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“chose”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 15:40 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being commended”) which is understood as temporal
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