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Acts 15:22-41
New American Standard Bible
Acts 15:22-41
New American Standard Bible
22 Then it seemed good to (A)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to (B)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and (C)Silas, leading men among (D)the brothers, 23 and they [a]sent this letter with them:
“(E)The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to (F)the brothers and sisters in (G)Antioch, (H)Syria, and (I)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: (J)Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that (K)some [b]of our number to whom we gave no instruction have (L)confused you by their [c]teaching, upsetting your souls, 25 (M)it seemed good to us, having [d]become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have [e](N)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore, we have sent (O)Judas and (P)Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For (Q)it seemed good to (R)the Holy Spirit and to (S)us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from (T)things sacrificed to idols, from (U)blood, from (V)things strangled, and from (W)acts of sexual immorality; [f]if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 So when they were sent away, (X)they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the [g]congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its [h]encouragement. 32 (Y)Judas and (Z)Silas, also being (AA)prophets themselves, [i]encouraged and strengthened (AB)the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters (AC)in peace to those who had (AD)sent them out.[j] 35 But (AE)Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and (AF)preaching (AG)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 (AH)every city in which we proclaimed (AI)the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take (AJ)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 (AK)deserted them [k]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 (AL)Mark with him and sailed away to (AM)Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose (AN)Silas, and left after being (AO)entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through (AP)Syria and (AQ)Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 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
- Acts 15:26 Lit given over
- Acts 15:29 Lit from which keeping yourselves free
- Acts 15:30 Or multitude
- Acts 15:31 Or exhortation
- Acts 15:32 Or exhorted
- Acts 15:33 Late mss add as v 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
- Acts 15:38 Lit from
Acts 15:22-41
New International Version
Acts 15:22-41
New International Version
The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers
22 Then the apostles and elders,(A) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch(B) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,(C) 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,(D) Syria(E) and Cilicia:(F)
Greetings.(G)
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.(H) 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(I) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas(J) to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit(K) 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.(L) 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,(M) who themselves were prophets,(N) 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(O) to return to those who had sent them. [34] [a] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached(P) the word of the Lord.(Q)
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(R) where we preached the word of the Lord(S) and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,(T) with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them(U) 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(V) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.(W) 41 He went through Syria(X) and Cilicia,(Y) strengthening the churches.(Z)
Footnotes
- Acts 15:34 Some manuscripts include here But Silas decided to remain there.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
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