Acts 15:2-25
New American Standard Bible
2 And after Paul and Barnabas had [a]a heated argument and (A)debate with them, (B)the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the (C)apostles and elders concerning this issue. 3 Therefore, after being (D)sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both (E)Phoenicia and Samaria, (F)describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they were bringing great joy to all (G)the brothers and sisters. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church, (H)the apostles, and the elders, and they (I)reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of (J)the sect of the (K)Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to (L)circumcise [b]them and to direct them to keep the Law of Moses.”
6 (M)The apostles and the elders came together to [c]look into this [d]matter. 7 After there had been much (N)debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “[e]Brothers, you know that [f]in the early days (O)God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of (P)the gospel and believe. 8 And God, (Q)who knows the heart, testified to them (R)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and (S)He made no distinction between us and them, (T)cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Since this is the case, why are you (U)putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which (V)neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through (W)the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”
12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were (X)relating all the (Y)signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.
James’ Judgment
13 After they stopped speaking, [g](Z)James responded, saying, “[h]Brothers, listen to me. 14 (AA)Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles. 15 The words of (AB)the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written:
16 ‘(AC)After these things (AD)I will return,
And I will rebuild the fallen [i]tabernacle of David,
And I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will restore it,
17 (AE)So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
And all the Gentiles [j](AF)who are called by My name,’
18 (AG)Says the Lord, who [k](AH)makes these things known from long ago.
19 Therefore, it is (AI)my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from [l](AJ)things contaminated by idols, from (AK)acts of sexual immorality, from (AL)what has been [m]strangled, and from blood. 21 For (AM)from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since [n]he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Then it seemed good to (AN)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to (AO)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and (AP)Silas, leading men among (AQ)the brothers, 23 and they [o]sent this letter with them:
“(AR)The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to (AS)the brothers and sisters in (AT)Antioch, (AU)Syria, and (AV)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: (AW)Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that (AX)some [p]of our number to whom we gave no instruction have (AY)confused you by their [q]teaching, upsetting your souls, 25 (AZ)it seemed good to us, having [r]become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Footnotes
- Acts 15:2 Lit no little
- Acts 15:5 I.e., Gentile believers
- Acts 15:6 Lit see about
- Acts 15:6 Lit word
- Acts 15:7 Lit Men, brothers
- Acts 15:7 Lit from days of old
- Acts 15:13 Or Jacob
- Acts 15:13 Lit Men, brothers
- Acts 15:16 Or tent
- Acts 15:17 Lit upon whom My name is called
- Acts 15:18 Or does these things which were known
- Acts 15:20 Lit the pollutions of
- Acts 15:20 I.e., to retain the blood
- Acts 15:21 I.e., the books of Moses, Gen through Deut
- Acts 15:23 Lit wrote by their hand
- Acts 15:24 Lit from us
- Acts 15:24 Lit words
- Acts 15:25 Or met together
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.