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.^(A)

⁷ On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task^(A) of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,^[a](B) just as Peter^(C) had been to the circumcised.^{[b] 8} For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle^(D) to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle^(E) to the Gentiles. ⁹ James,^(F) Cephas^[c](G) and John, those esteemed as pillars,^(H) gave me and Barnabas^(I) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.^(J) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,^(K) and they to the circumcised.

¹⁷ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,^(A) and the message is heard through the word about Christ.^{(B) 18} But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

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^(A) to see the apostles and elders^(B) about this question.

⁴ “Yet the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me^(A) from my whole family^(B) to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah^(C) as leader, and from the tribe of Judah he chose my family, and from my father’s sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel.^{(D) 5} Of all my sons—and the Lord has given me many^(E)—he has chosen my son Solomon^(F) to sit on the throne^(G) of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.

²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;^(A) my only aim is to finish the race^(B) and complete the task^(C) the Lord Jesus has given me^(D)—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.^(E)

³² Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ ³³ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism^{(A) 35} but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.^{(B) 36} You know the message^(C) God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news^(D) of peace^(E) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.^{(F) 37} You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— ³⁸ how God anointed^(G) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing^(H) all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.^(I)

³⁹ “We are witnesses^(J) of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,^{(K) 40} but God raised him from the dead^(L) on the third day and caused him to be seen. ⁴¹ He was not seen by all the people,^(M) but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate^(N) and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people^(O) and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.^{(P) 43} All the prophets testify about him^(Q) that everyone^(R) who believes^(S) in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”^(T)

⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on^(U) all who heard the message. ⁴⁵ The circumcised believers who had come with Peter^(V) were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out^(W) even on Gentiles.^{(X) 46} For they heard them speaking in tongues^[a](Y) and praising God.

Then Peter said, ⁴⁷ “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.^(Z) They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”^{(AA) 48} So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.^(AB) Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

²⁰ So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”^(A)

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(A) or arguing,