Print Page Options Listen to Acts 15

15 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

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

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

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

16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, 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, who doeth all these things.

18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.

24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

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

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

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

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”(A) And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders.(B) So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters.(C) When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.(D) But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.”

The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers,[a] you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers.(E) And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us,(F) and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us.(G) 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?(H) 11 On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”(I)

12 The whole assembly kept silence and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the gentiles.(J) 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers,[b] listen to me.(K) 14 Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,

16 ‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;
    from its ruins I will rebuild it,
        and I will set it up,(L)
17 so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—
    even all the gentiles over whom my name has been called.
Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things 18         known from long ago.’[c]

19 “Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from sexual immorality and from whatever has been strangled[d] and from blood.(M) 21 For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every Sabbath in the synagogues.”(N)

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers and sisters of gentile origin in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that certain persons who have gone out from us, though with no instructions from us, have said things to disturb you and have unsettled your minds,[e](O) 25 we have decided unanimously to choose men and send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.(P) 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled[f] and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”(Q)

30 So they were sent off and went down to Antioch. When they gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation. 32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers and sisters. 33 After they had been there for some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them.[g](R) 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, and there, with many others, they taught and proclaimed the word of the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”(S) 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.(T) 38 But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.(U) 39 The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and set out, the brothers and sisters commending him to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.(V)

Footnotes

  1. 15.7 Gk Men, brothers
  2. 15.13 Gk Men, brothers
  3. 15.18 Other ancient authorities read things. Known to God from of old are all his works.’
  4. 15.20 Other ancient authorities lack and from whatever has been strangled
  5. 15.24 Other ancient authorities add saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’
  6. 15.29 Other ancient authorities lack and from what is strangled
  7. 15.33 Other ancient authorities add 15.34, But it seemed good to Silas to remain there

15 And certain men who came down from Judea taught the brethren and said, “Unless ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

And being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and by the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.

And the apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, “Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.

And God, who knoweth the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost even as He did unto us,

and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul as they declared what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, hearken unto me.

14 Simon hath declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out from them a people for His name.

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

16 ‘After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. And I will build again the ruins thereof, 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 who doeth all these things.’

18 Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.

19 Therefore my judgment is that we trouble not those from among the Gentiles who are turned to God,

20 but that we write unto them that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

21 For Moses from olden times hath in every city those who preach him, he being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, together with the whole church, to send men chosen from their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas surnamed Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.

23 And they wrote letters to accompany them in this manner: “The apostles and elders and brethren send greetings unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

24 Inasmuch as we have heard that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, ‘Ye must be circumcised and keep the law’ — to whom we gave no such commandment —

25 it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

29 that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If ye keep yourselves from these things, ye shall do well. Fare ye well!”

30 So when they were sent off, they went to Antioch. And when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle;

31 and when they had read it, they rejoiced in its consolation.

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

33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace by the brethren to return unto the apostles.

34 Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to remain there still.

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

36 And some days later, Paul said unto Barnabas, “Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the Word of the Lord, and see how they do.”

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought it not good to take him with them, as he had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them in the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them that they parted asunder, one from the other; and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

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

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Ang Panagtigom sa Jerusalem

15 May mga tawo gikan sa Judea nga miadto sa Antioquia ug nagtudlo sa mga magtutuo nga silang mga dili Judio dili maluwas kon dili sila magpatuli sumala sa gitudlo sa Kasugoan ni Moises. Nagainitay ang panaglantugi nila ni Pablo ug Barnabas batok niining mga tawhana. Busa nagkauyon ang mga magtutuo nga si Pablo ug si Barnabas ug ang ubang magtutuo sa Antioquia moadto sa Jerusalem aron makigkita sa mga apostoles ug sa mga kadagkoan didto mahitungod niining butanga.

Busa gipadala sa iglesia sila si Pablo. Sa pag-agi nila sa Fenicia ug sa Samaria, gisulti nila sa mga magtutuo didto nga may mga dili Judio usab nga mituo kang Cristo. Pagkadungog nila niini, nalipay gayod sila. Pag-abot nila ni Pablo sa Jerusalem gidawat sila sa iglesia, sa mga apostoles, ug sa mga kadagkoan sa iglesia. Gisaysay nila ang tanang gihimo sa Dios pinaagi kanila. Apan may mga magtutuo didto nga sakop sa grupo sa mga Pariseo. Mitindog sila ug miingon, “Kinahanglan nga tulion ang mga dili Judio ug sultihan sila nga motuman sa Kasugoan ni Moises.”

Busa nagtigom ang mga apostoles ug ang mga kadagkoan sa iglesia aron sa pagsulbad niining mga butanga. Human sa dugayng panaglantugi mitindog si Pedro ug miingon, “Mga kaigsoonan, nahibaloan na ninyo nga gipili ako sa Dios gikan kaninyo kaniadto pa aron itudlo ko ang Maayong Balita sa mga dili Judio, aron makadungog usab sila ug motuo. Nahibaloan sa Dios ang kasing-kasing sa mga tawo. Ug gipakita niya nga gidawat usab niya ang mga dili Judio tungod kay gihatag usab niya ang Espiritu Santo kanila sama sa iyang gihimo kanato niadtong una. Sa panan-aw sa Dios, kita nga mga Judio ug sila nga mga dili Judio managsama lamang. Tungod kay gihinloan usab niya ang ilang mga kasing-kasing sa ilang mga sala kay mituo man sila. 10 Nganong sulayan man ninyo ang Dios? Nganong gusto man ninyong hatagan ug palas-anon ang atong mga isigka-sumusunod ni Jesus pinaagi sa pagsunod sa mga tulumanon nga bisan gani kita ug ang atong mga katigulangan dili makatuman? 11 Nagtuo kita nga naluwas kita pinaagi sa grasya ni Ginoong Jesu-Cristo, ug mao man usab ngadto sa mga dili Judio.”

12 Pagkadungog nila niana nahilom silang tanan. Ug gipaminaw nila ang gisaysay ni Barnabas ug ni Pablo mahitungod sa mga kahibulongan ug mga milagro nga gihimo sa Dios ngadto sa mga dili Judio pinaagi kanila. 13 Pagkahuman nilag saysay, miingon si Santiago, “Mga kaigsoonan, paminawa ninyo ako. 14 Gisaysay kanato ni Simon Pedro ang unang pagtawag sa Dios sa mga dili Judio aron may mga tawo usab nga gikan kanila nga mahimong iya sa Dios. 15 Kini sumala usab sa mga gisulat sa mga propeta kaniadto, tungod kay ang Kasulatan nagaingon:

16 ‘Human niini mobalik ako,
ug pabarogon ko pag-usab ang gingharian ni David nga napukan.
Patindogon ko kini pag-usab gikan sa iyang pagkatumpag,
17 aron ang ubang mga tawo mangita kanako, lakip ang tanang mga dili Judio nga akong gitawag nga mahimong akong katawhan.
18 Mao kini ang giingon sa Ginoo, ug dugay na niya kining gipahibalo.’ ”[a]

19 Mipadayon sa pag-ingon si Santiago, “Busa alang kanako dili nato lisod-lisoron ang mga dili Judio nga nagtuo sa Dios. 20 Hinuon, sulatan nato sila nga dili mokaon sa mga pagkaon nga gihalad ngadto sa mga dios-dios tungod kay hugaw kini. Dili sila makighilawas gawas sa kaminyoon. Dili usab sila mokaon sa dugo ug sa karne sa mga hayop nga sa pagkamatay wala makagawas ang dugo. 21 Mao kini ang mga sugo ni Moises nga kinahanglang sundon nila aron dili mahugawan ang mga Judio kanila, tungod kay sukad pa sa una gibasa na sa mga Judio matag Adlaw nga Igpapahulay diha sa ilang mga simbahan ang nahisulat sa Kasugoan nga gibilin ni Moises, ug kini gitudlo nila sa matag lungsod.”

Ang Sulat alang sa mga Dili Judio nga Mituo kang Cristo

22 Unya nagkauyon ang mga apostoles ug ang mga kadagkoan sa iglesia ug ang tanang mga magtutuo didto nga mopili sila gikan sa ilang grupo ug mga lalaki aron ilang ipadala sa Antioquia uban nila ni Pablo ug Barnabas. Si Judas nga gitawag nga Barsabas ug si Silas mao ang ilang napilian. Kining mga tawhana gitahod sa mga magtutuo. 23 Ang sulat nga gipadala kanila nagaingon:

“Kaming mga apostoles ug mga kadagkoan sa iglesia dinhi, nga inyong mga kaigsoonan kang Cristo, nangumusta kaninyong mga dili Judio diha sa Antioquia ug sa ubang dapit nga sakop usab sa Syria ug sa Cilicia. 24 Nadungog namo nga may mga tawong gikan dinhi kanamo nga mianha kaninyo ug gilibog nila ang inyong mga hunahuna tungod sa ilang mga gitudlo diha. Wala kami magsugo kanila nga moanha diha ug manudlog sama niana. 25 Busa pagkadungog namo niini nagtigom kami dinhi ug nagkauyon nga mopili ug mga tawo nga among ipadala diha aron mopasabot kaninyo sa among gikauyonan. Kauban sila ni Barnabas ug ni Pablo nga atong mga hinigugmang mga kaigsoonan kang Cristo. 26 Kini sila si Barnabas ug si Pablo naghalad sa ilang kinabuhi sa pag-alagad sa atong Ginoong Jesu-Cristo. 27 Si Judas ug si Silas among gipadala kaninyo aron mosulti usab mahitungod sa mga butang nga gihisgotan dinhi niining among sulat. 28 Nagkauyon kami uban sa giya sa Espiritu Santo nga dili dugangan ang inyong mga tulumanon gawas niining mosunod nga kinahanglan nga tumanon ninyo. 29 Dili kamo mokaon sa mga pagkaon nga gihalad ngadto sa mga dios-dios, dili kamo mokaon sa dugo ug sa karne sa mga hayop nga sa pagkamatay wala makagawas ang dugo, ug dili kamo makighilawas gawas sa kaminyoon. Maayo kon malikayan ninyo kining mga butanga. Kutob na lang dinhi.”

30 Unya milakaw ang mga tawo nga ilang gipadala. Pag-abot nila didto sa Antioquia gitigom nila ang tanang magtutuo ug gihatag dayon nila ang sulat. 31 Pagkabasa niini sa mga magtutuo, nadasig ug nalipay kaayo sila. 32 Si Judas ug si Silas mga propeta usab, busa daghan pa ang ilang mga gitudlo sa mga magtutuo aron sa pagdasig kanila ug paglig-on sa ilang pagtuo. 33 Human sa pipila ka adlawng pagpabilin nila didto, mibalik sila sa Jerusalem, sa mga nagpadala kanila. Sa wala pa sila makalakaw giampoan una sila sa mga magtutuo nga mahimong maayo ang ilang paglakaw. 34 [Apan si Silas nakadesisyon nga magpabilin didto.] 35 Si Pablo ug si Barnabas nagpabilin sa Antioquia sa pipila pa ka adlaw. Daghan ang ilang kauban nga nagtudlo ug nagwali sa pulong sa Ginoo.

Nagbulag si Pablo ug si Barnabas

36 Unya milabay ang mga adlaw, miingon si Pablo kang Barnabas, “Balikan nato ang tanang mga lungsod nga atong nawalihan sa pulong sa Ginoo ug bisitahan nato ang mga magtutuo aron mahibaloan nato kon unsay ilang kahimtang.” 37 Miuyon si Barnabas apan gusto niyang dad-on si Juan nga gitawag ug Marcos. 38 Apan dili gusto ni Pablo nga paubanon si Marcos tungod kay niadtong una nga kauban nila si Marcos, gibiyaan niya sila didto sa Panfilia. 39 Nagainitay ang ilang panaglalis, busa nagbulag sila. Gidala ni Barnabas si Marcos ug milawig sila padulong sa Cyprus. 40 Ug si Silas mao ang gidala ni Pablo. Sa wala pa molakaw si Pablo ug si Silas nagaampo ang mga magtutuo sa Ginoo nga tabangan sila sa ilang paglakaw. 41 Miadto sila si Pablo sa probinsya sa Syria ug Cilicia ug gilig-on nila ang mga magtutuo didto.

Footnotes

  1. 15:18 Tan-awa usab ang Amos 9:11-12.

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.