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Acts 14-15
New American Standard Bible

Acceptance and Opposition

14 In (A)Iconium (B)they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a way (C)that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of (D)Greeks. 2 But (E)the [a](F)unbelieving Jews stirred up the [b]minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against (G)the brothers. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there (H)speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that [c](I)signs and wonders be performed by their hands. 4 (J)But the [d]people of the city were divided; and some [e]sided with (K)the Jews, while others, with (L)the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and (M)the Jews with their rulers, to treat them abusively and to (N)stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of (O)Lycaonia, (P)Lystra and (Q)Derbe, and the surrounding region; 7 and there they continued to (R)preach the gospel.

8 In (S)Lystra (T)a man was sitting whose feet were incapacitated. He had been disabled from his mother’s womb, and had never walked. 9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke. Paul (U)looked at him intently and saw that he had (V)faith to be [f]made well, 10 and he said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” (W)And the man leaped up and began to walk. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the (X)Lycaonian language, “(Y)The gods have become like men and have come down to us!” 12 And they began calling Barnabas, [g]Zeus, and Paul, [h]Hermes, since he was [i]the chief speaker. 13 Moreover, the priest of Zeus, whose temple was [j]just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and (Z)wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when (AA)the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they (AB)tore their [k]robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also (AC)men, of the same nature as you, (AD)preaching the gospel to you, to turn from these [l](AE)useless things to a (AF)living God, who (AG)made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them. 16 [m]In past generations He (AH)permitted all the [n]nations to (AI)go their own ways; 17 yet (AJ)He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and (AK)gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, [o]satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And even by saying these things, only with difficulty did they restrain the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.

19 But (AL)Jews came from (AM)Antioch and (AN)Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they (AO)stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking that he was dead. 20 But while (AP)the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for (AQ)Derbe. 21 And after they had (AR)preached the gospel to that city and had (AS)made a good number of disciples, they returned to (AT)Lystra, to (AU)Iconium, and to (AV)Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of (AW)the disciples, encouraging them to continue in (AX)the faith, and saying, “(AY)It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When (AZ)they had appointed (BA)elders for them in every church, having (BB)prayed with fasting, they (BC)entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

24 They passed through (BD)Pisidia and came into (BE)Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in (BF)Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to (BG)Antioch, (BH)where they had been (BI)entrusted to the grace of God for the work that they had [p]accomplished. 27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to (BJ)report all the things that God had done with them and [q]how He had opened a (BK)door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent [r]a long time with (BL)the disciples.

The Council in Jerusalem

15 (BM)Some men came down from Judea and began teaching (BN)the brothers, “Unless you are (BO)circumcised according to (BP)the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had [s]a heated argument and (BQ)debate with them, (BR)the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the (BS)apostles and elders concerning this issue. 3 Therefore, after being (BT)sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both (BU)Phoenicia and Samaria, (BV)describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they were bringing great joy to all (BW)the brothers and sisters. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church, (BX)the apostles, and the elders, and they (BY)reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of (BZ)the sect of the (CA)Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to (CB)circumcise [t]them and to direct them to keep the Law of Moses.”

6 (CC)The apostles and the elders came together to [u]look into this [v]matter. 7 After there had been much (CD)debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “[w]Brothers, you know that [x]in the early days (CE)God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of (CF)the gospel and believe. 8 And God, (CG)who knows the heart, testified to them (CH)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and (CI)He made no distinction between us and them, (CJ)cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Since this is the case, why are you (CK)putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which (CL)neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through (CM)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 (CN)relating all the (CO)signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

James’ Judgment

13 After they stopped speaking, [y](CP)James responded, saying, “[z]Brothers, listen to me. 14 (CQ)Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles. 15 The words of (CR)the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written:

16 ‘(CS)After these things (CT)I will return,
And I will rebuild the fallen [aa]tabernacle of David,
And I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will restore it,
17 (CU)So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
And all the Gentiles [ab](CV)who are called by My name,’
18 (CW)Says the Lord, who [ac](CX)makes these things known from long ago.

19 Therefore, it is (CY)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 [ad](CZ)things contaminated by idols, from (DA)acts of sexual immorality, from (DB)what has been [ae]strangled, and from blood. 21 For (DC)from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since [af]he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22 Then it seemed good to (DD)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to (DE)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and (DF)Silas, leading men among (DG)the brothers, 23 and they [ag]sent this letter with them:

“(DH)The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to (DI)the brothers and sisters in (DJ)Antioch, (DK)Syria, and (DL)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: (DM)Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that (DN)some [ah]of our number to whom we gave no instruction have (DO)confused you by their [ai]teaching, upsetting your souls, 25 (DP)it seemed good to us, having [aj]become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have [ak](DQ)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore, we have sent (DR)Judas and (DS)Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For (DT)it seemed good to (DU)the Holy Spirit and to (DV)us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from (DW)things sacrificed to idols, from (DX)blood, from (DY)things strangled, and from (DZ)acts of sexual immorality; [al]if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent away, (EA)they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the [am]congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its [an]encouragement. 32 (EB)Judas and (EC)Silas, also being (ED)prophets themselves, [ao]encouraged and strengthened (EE)the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters (EF)in peace to those who had (EG)sent them out.[ap] 35 But (EH)Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and (EI)preaching (EJ)the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Second Missionary Journey

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers and sisters in (EK)every city in which we proclaimed (EL)the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take (EM)John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had (EN)deserted them [aq]in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took (EO)Mark with him and sailed away to (EP)Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose (EQ)Silas, and left after being (ER)entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through (ES)Syria and (ET)Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 14:2 Or disobeying
  2. Acts 14:2 Lit souls
  3. Acts 14:3 I.e., confirming miracles
  4. Acts 14:4 Lit multitude
  5. Acts 14:4 Lit were
  6. Acts 14:9 Lit saved
  7. Acts 14:12 In Lat Jupiter, the chief pagan god of Rome
  8. Acts 14:12 In Lat Mercury, considered the messenger or spokesman for the pagan gods of Rome
  9. Acts 14:12 Lit the leader of the speaking
  10. Acts 14:13 Lit in front of
  11. Acts 14:14 Or outer garments
  12. Acts 14:15 I.e., idols
  13. Acts 14:16 Lit Who in past generations permitted
  14. Acts 14:16 Or Gentiles
  15. Acts 14:17 Lit filling
  16. Acts 14:26 Lit fulfilled
  17. Acts 14:27 Lit that
  18. Acts 14:28 Lit not a little
  19. Acts 15:2 Lit no little
  20. Acts 15:5 I.e., Gentile believers
  21. Acts 15:6 Lit see about
  22. Acts 15:6 Lit word
  23. Acts 15:7 Lit Men, brothers
  24. Acts 15:7 Lit from days of old
  25. Acts 15:13 Or Jacob
  26. Acts 15:13 Lit Men, brothers
  27. Acts 15:16 Or tent
  28. Acts 15:17 Lit upon whom My name is called
  29. Acts 15:18 Or does these things which were known
  30. Acts 15:20 Lit the pollutions of
  31. Acts 15:20 I.e., to retain the blood
  32. Acts 15:21 I.e., the books of Moses, Gen through Deut
  33. Acts 15:23 Lit wrote by their hand
  34. Acts 15:24 Lit from us
  35. Acts 15:24 Lit words
  36. Acts 15:25 Or met together
  37. Acts 15:26 Lit given over
  38. Acts 15:29 Lit from which keeping yourselves free
  39. Acts 15:30 Or multitude
  40. Acts 15:31 Or exhortation
  41. Acts 15:32 Or exhorted
  42. Acts 15:33 Late mss add as v 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
  43. Acts 15:38 Lit from
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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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