15 1 Certain go about to bring in circumcision at Antioch: 6 About which matter the Apostles consult: 19 and what must be done 23 they declare by letters. 36 Paul and Barnabas 39 are at great variance.

¹ Then ^[a]came down ^[b]certain from Judea, and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

^2 [c]And when there was great dissension, and disputation by Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordained that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question.

³ Thus ^[d]being brought forth by the Church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy unto all the brethren.

⁴ And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the Church, and of the Apostles and Elders, and they declared what things God had done by them.

⁵ But said they, certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which did believe, rose up, saying that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.

^6 [e]Then the Apostles and Elders came together to look to this matter.

⁷ And when there had been great disputation, Peter rose up, and said unto them, ^(A)[f]Ye men and brethren, ye know that a ^[g]good while ago, among us God chose out me, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe.

⁸ And God which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, in giving unto them the holy Ghost even as he did unto us.

⁹ And he put no ^[h]difference between us and them, after that ^(B)[i]by faith he had purified their hearts.

^10 [j]Now therefore, why ^[k]tempt ye God, to ^(C)lay a yoke on the disciples’ necks, which neither our fathers, nor we were able to bear?

¹¹ But we believe, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, even as they do.

^12 [l]Then all the multitude kept silence, and heard Barnabas and Paul, which told what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.

¹³ And when they held their peace, ^[m]James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me.

^14 [n]Simeon hath declared, how God first did visit the Gentiles, to take of them a people unto his Name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written,

^16 (D)After this I will return, and will build again the Tabernacle of David, which is fallen down, and the ruins thereof will I build again, and I will set it up.

¹⁷ That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my Name is called, saith the Lord which doeth all these things.

¹⁸ From the beginning of the world, God ^[o]knoweth all his works.

^19 [p]Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them of the Gentiles that are turned to God,

²⁰ But that we send unto them, that they abstain themselves from ^[q]filthiness of idols, and fornication, and that is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, seeing he is read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day.

^22 [r]Then it seemed good to the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: to wit, Judas whose surname was Barsabas, and Silas, which were chief men among the brethren,

²³ And wrote letters by them after this manner, THE APOSTLES, and the Elders, and the brethren, Unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and in Syria, and in Cilicia, send greeting.

^24 [s]Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which ^[t]went out from us, have troubled you with words, and ^[u]cumbered your minds, saying, Ye must be circumcised and keep the Law: to whom we gave no such commandment,

²⁵ It seemed therefore good to us, when we were come together with one accord, to [send] chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.

²⁶ Men that have ^[v]given up their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁷ We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, which shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

^28 [w]For it seemed good to the ^[x]holy Ghost, and ^[y]to us, to lay no more burden upon you, than these ^[z]necessary things.

^29 [aa]That is, that ye abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and that that is strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

^30 [ab]Now when they were departed, they came to Antioch, and after that they had assembled the multitude, they delivered the Epistle,

³¹ And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.

³² And Judas and Silas being Prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and strengthened them.

³³ And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in ^[ac]peace of the brethren unto the Apostles.

³⁴ Notwithstanding Silas thought good to abide there still.

³⁵ Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others the word of the Lord.

³⁶ ¶ ^[ad]But after certain days, Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return and visit our brethren in every city, where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

^37 [ae]And Barnabas counseled to take with them John, called Mark.

³⁸ But Paul thought it not meet to take him unto their company, which departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

^39 [af]Then were they so ^[ag]stirred, that they departed asunder one from the other, so that Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus.

⁴⁰ And Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended of the brethren unto the grace of God.

⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, establishing the Churches.