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15 And some men came down from Judaea, and taught brethren, That but ye be circumcised after the law of Moses, ye be not able to be made safe [ye be not able to be saved].

Therefore when there was made not a little dissension to Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordained, that Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, should go up to the apostles and priests in Jerusalem, on this question.

And so they were led forth of the church, and passed by Phenice and Samaria; and they told the conversation of heathen men [Therefore they, led forth of the church, passed by Phenice and Samaria; telling the living of heathen men], and they made great joy to all the brethren.

And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and of the apostles, and of the elder men, and told, how great things God did with them. [Soothly when they came to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles, and elder men, and told how many things God did with them.]

But some of the heresy of the Pharisees, that believed, rose up, and said, [rised, saying], That it behooveth them to be circumcised, and to command to keep also the law of Moses.

And the apostles and elder men came together, to see of this word.

And when there was made a great seeking thereof, Peter rose, and said to them, Brethren, ye know [Men brethren, ye know], that of old days in you God chose by my mouth heathen men, to hear the word of the gospel, and to believe;

and God, that knew the hearts, bare witnessing, and gave to them the Holy Ghost [giving to them the Holy Ghost], as also to us;

and nothing diversed betwixt [between] us and them, cleansing the hearts of them by faith.

10 Now then what tempt ye God [Now therefore what tempt ye God], to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither we, neither our fathers might bear?

11 But by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we believe to be saved, as also they.

12 And all the multitude held peace, and heard Barnabas and Paul, telling how great signs and wonders [how many signs and wonders] God did by them in heathen men.

13 And after that they held peace, James answered, and said, Brethren, hear ye me [James answered, saying, Men brethren, hear me].

14 Simon told, how God visited, first to take of heathen men a people to his name. [Simon told, how first God visited, to take of heathen men a people to his name.]

15 And the words of prophets accord to him [And to him the words of prophets accord], as it is written,

16 After this I shall turn again, and build the tabernacle of David, that fell down; and I shall build again the cast down things of it, and I shall raise it;

17 that other men seek the Lord [that others of men seek the Lord], and all folks on whom my name is called to help; the Lord doing this thing, saith.

18 From the world, the work of the Lord is known to the Lord. [From the world, to the Lord his work is known.]

19 For which thing I deem them that of heathen men be converted to God, to be not dis-eased [to be not unquieted, or dis-eased],

20 but to write to them, that they abstain them from defoulings of maumets [that they abstain them from defoulings of simulacra], and from fornication, and strangled things, and blood.

21 For Moses of old times hath in all cities them that preach him in synagogues, whereby each sabbath he is read.

22 Then it pleased to the apostles, and to the elder men [and elder men], with all the church, to choose men of them, and send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, Judas, that was named Barsabas, and Silas, the first men among brethren;

23 and wrote by the hands of them, Apostles and elder brethren to them that be at Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren of heathen men, greeting.

24 For we heard that some went out from us, and troubled you with words, and turned upside-down your souls [turning upside-down your souls], to which men we commanded not,

25 it pleased to us gathered into one, to choose men, and send to you, with our most dear-worthy Barnabas and Paul,

26 men that gave their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 Therefore we sent Judas and Silas, and they shall tell the same things to you by words.

28 For it is seen to the Holy Ghost and to us, to put to you nothing more of charge, than these needful things,

29 that ye abstain you from the offered things of maumets [that ye abstain you from the offered things of simulacra], and blood strangled, and fornication. From which ye keeping you, shall do well. Fare ye well.

30 Therefore they were let go, and came down to Antioch; and when the multitude was gathered, they took the epistle; [Therefore they dismissed, came down to Antioch; and, when the multitude was gathered, they betook the epistle;]

31 which when they had read, they joyed on the comfort.

32 And Judas and Silas and they, for they were prophets, comforted brethren, and confirmed [them] with full many words. [Forsooth Judas and Silas and they, when they were prophets, with full much word comforted brethren, and confirmed them.]

33 But after that they had been there a little while, they were let go of brethren with peace [they were dismissed, or left, with peace of brethren], to them that had sent them.

34 But it was seen to Silas, to dwell there; and Judas went alone to Jerusalem.

35 And Paul and Barnabas dwelt at Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with others many [with many others].

36 But after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, Turn we again, and visit we brethren by all cities [Paul said to Barnabas, We turning again, visit our brethren by all cities], in which we have preached the word of the Lord, how they have them.

37 And Barnabas would take with him John, that was named Mark.

38 But Paul prayed him, that he that departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them into the work, should not be received.

39 And dissension was made, so that they departed atwain. And Barnabas took Mark, and came by boat to Cyprus.

40 And Paul chose Silas, and went forth from the brethren, and was betaken to the grace of God. [Forsooth Paul chose Silas, and went forth, taken to the grace of God from brethren.]

41 And he went by Syria and Cilicia, and confirmed the church, commanding to keep the behests of the apostles and elder men.[a]

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:41 Forsooth he went by Syria and Cilicia, confirming the church, commanding to keep the precepts of the apostles and elder men.

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Certain people(A) came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers:(B) “Unless you are circumcised,(C) according to the custom taught by Moses,(D) you cannot be saved.” 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(E) to see the apostles and elders(F) about this question. The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia(G) and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted.(H) This news made all the believers very glad. 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.(I)

Then some of the believers who belonged to the party(J) of the Pharisees(K) stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”(L)

The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 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.(M) God, who knows the heart,(N) showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them,(O) just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them,(P) for he purified their hearts by faith.(Q) 10 Now then, why do you try to test God(R) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke(S) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace(T) 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(U) God had done among the Gentiles through them.(V) 13 When they finished, James(W) spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.(X) 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’[b](Y)
18     things known from long ago.[c](Z)

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,(AA) from sexual immorality,(AB) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.(AC) 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.”(AD)

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and elders,(AE) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch(AF) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,(AG) 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,(AH) Syria(AI) and Cilicia:(AJ)

Greetings.(AK)

24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.(AL) 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(AM) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas(AN) to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit(AO) 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.(AP) 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,(AQ) who themselves were prophets,(AR) 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(AS) to return to those who had sent them. [34] [d] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached(AT) the word of the Lord.(AU)

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(AV) where we preached the word of the Lord(AW) and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,(AX) with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them(AY) 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(AZ) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.(BA) 41 He went through Syria(BB) and Cilicia,(BC) strengthening the churches.(BD)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:14 Greek Simeon, a variant of Simon; that is, Peter
  2. Acts 15:17 Amos 9:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  3. Acts 15:18 Some manuscripts things’— / 18 the Lord’s work is known to him from long ago
  4. Acts 15:34 Some manuscripts include here But Silas decided to remain there.