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Acts 15
English Standard Version

The Jerusalem Council

15 (A)But some men came down from Judea and were teaching (B)the brothers, “Unless you are (C)circumcised (D)according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and (E)debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and (F)some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to (G)the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, (H)being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, (I)describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and (J)brought great joy to all (K)the brothers.[a] 4 (L)When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and (M)the apostles and the elders, and (N)they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to (O)the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, (P)“It is necessary (Q)to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

6 (R)The (S)apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much (T)debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, (U)that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear (V)the word of (W)the gospel and believe. 8 And God, (X)who knows the heart, (Y)bore witness to them, (Z)by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and (AA)he made no distinction between us and them, (AB)having cleansed their hearts (AC)by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why (AD)are you putting God to the test (AE)by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples (AF)that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we (AG)believe that we will be (AH)saved through (AI)the grace of the Lord Jesus, (AJ)just as they will.”

12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul (AK)as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, (AL)James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 (AM)Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them (AN)a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

16 (AO)“‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
     and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant[b] of mankind (AP)may seek the Lord,
    and all the Gentiles (AQ)who are called by my name,
     says the Lord, who makes these things 18 (AR)known from of old.’

19 Therefore (AS)my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who (AT)turn to God, 20 but should write to them (AU)to abstain from (AV)the things polluted by idols, and from (AW)sexual immorality, and from (AX)what has been strangled, and from (AY)blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, (AZ)for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then it seemed good to (BA)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called (BB)Barsabbas, and (BC)Silas, leading men among (BD)the brothers, 23 with the following letter: (BE)“The brothers, both (BF)the apostles and the elders, to the brothers[c] who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, (BG)greetings. 24 Since we have heard that (BH)some persons have gone out from us and (BI)troubled you[d] with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come (BJ)to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our (BK)beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 (BL)men who have (BM)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent (BN)Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good (BO)to the Holy Spirit and (BP)to us (BQ)to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 (BR)that you abstain from (BS)what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves (BT)prophets, encouraged and (BU)strengthened (BV)the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off (BW)in peace by (BX)the brothers to those who had sent them.[e] 35 But (BY)Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit (BZ)the brothers (CA)in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them (CB)John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one (CC)who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose (CD)a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. (CE)Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, (CF)having been commended by (CG)the brothers to (CH)the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, (CI)strengthening the churches.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:3 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 22
  2. Acts 15:17 Or rest
  3. Acts 15:23 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 32, 33, 36
  4. Acts 15:24 Some manuscripts some persons from us have troubled you
  5. Acts 15:33 Some manuscripts insert verse 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there
Close NLT

Acts 15
New Living Translation

The Council at Jerusalem

15 While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers[a]: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them—much to everyone’s joy—that the Gentiles, too, were being converted.

4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. 5 But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.”

6 So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue. 7 At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe. 8 God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. 10 So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers[b] with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? 11 We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”

12 Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

13 When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Peter[c] has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself. 15 And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written:

16 ‘Afterward I will return
    and restore the fallen house[d] of David.
I will rebuild its ruins
    and restore it,
17 so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord,
    including the Gentiles—
    all those I have called to be mine.
The Lord has spoken—
18     he who made these things known so long ago.’[e]

19 “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. 21 For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations.”

The Letter for Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders[f]—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. 23 This is the letter they took with them:

“This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!

24 “We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! 25 So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.

28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: 29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. 31 And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

32 Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. 33 They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace.[g] 35 Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord there.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. 41 Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

Footnotes

  1. 15:1 Greek brothers; also in 15:3, 23, 32, 33, 36, 40.
  2. 15:10 Greek disciples.
  3. 15:14 Greek Simeon.
  4. 15:16 Or kingdom; Greek reads tent.
  5. 15:16-18 Amos 9:11-12 (Greek version); Isa 45:21.
  6. 15:22 Greek were leaders among the brothers.
  7. 15:33 Some manuscripts add verse 34, But Silas decided to stay there.
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ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15
SBL Greek New Testament

15 Καί τινες κατελθόντες ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἐδίδασκον τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὅτι Ἐὰν μὴ [a]περιτμηθῆτε τῷ ἔθει [b]τῷ Μωϋσέως, οὐ δύνασθε σωθῆναι. 2 γενομένης [c]δὲ στάσεως καὶ ζητήσεως οὐκ ὀλίγης τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ τῷ Βαρναβᾷ πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἔταξαν ἀναβαίνειν Παῦλον καὶ Βαρναβᾶν καί τινας ἄλλους ἐξ αὐτῶν πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστόλους καὶ πρεσβυτέρους εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ περὶ τοῦ ζητήματος τούτου. 3 οἱ μὲν οὖν προπεμφθέντες ὑπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας διήρχοντο τήν [d]τε Φοινίκην καὶ Σαμάρειαν ἐκδιηγούμενοι τὴν ἐπιστροφὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν, καὶ ἐποίουν χαρὰν μεγάλην πᾶσι τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς. 4 παραγενόμενοι δὲ εἰς [e]Ἱεροσόλυμα [f]παρεδέχθησαν [g]ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας καὶ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, ἀνήγγειλάν τε ὅσα ὁ θεὸς ἐποίησεν μετ’ αὐτῶν. 5 ἐξανέστησαν δέ τινες τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς αἱρέσεως τῶν Φαρισαίων πεπιστευκότες, λέγοντες ὅτι δεῖ περιτέμνειν αὐτοὺς παραγγέλλειν τε τηρεῖν τὸν νόμον Μωϋσέως.

6 Συνήχθησάν [h]τε οἱ ἀπόστολοι καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἰδεῖν περὶ τοῦ λόγου τούτου. 7 πολλῆς δὲ [i]ζητήσεως γενομένης ἀναστὰς Πέτρος εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς· Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, ὑμεῖς ἐπίστασθε ὅτι ἀφ’ ἡμερῶν ἀρχαίων [j]ἐν ὑμῖν ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεὸς διὰ τοῦ στόματός μου ἀκοῦσαι τὰ ἔθνη τὸν λόγον τοῦ εὐαγγελίου καὶ πιστεῦσαι, 8 καὶ ὁ καρδιογνώστης θεὸς ἐμαρτύρησεν αὐτοῖς [k]δοὺς τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καθὼς καὶ ἡμῖν, 9 καὶ [l]οὐθὲν διέκρινεν μεταξὺ ἡμῶν τε καὶ αὐτῶν, τῇ πίστει καθαρίσας τὰς καρδίας αὐτῶν. 10 νῦν οὖν τί πειράζετε τὸν θεόν, ἐπιθεῖναι ζυγὸν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον τῶν μαθητῶν ὃν οὔτε οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν οὔτε ἡμεῖς ἰσχύσαμεν βαστάσαι; 11 ἀλλὰ διὰ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ πιστεύομεν σωθῆναι καθ’ ὃν τρόπον κἀκεῖνοι.

12 Ἐσίγησεν δὲ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος, καὶ ἤκουον Βαρναβᾶ καὶ Παύλου ἐξηγουμένων ὅσα ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν δι’ αὐτῶν. 13 μετὰ δὲ τὸ σιγῆσαι αὐτοὺς ἀπεκρίθη Ἰάκωβος λέγων· Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, ἀκούσατέ μου. 14 Συμεὼν ἐξηγήσατο καθὼς πρῶτον ὁ θεὸς ἐπεσκέψατο λαβεῖν ἐξ ἐθνῶν [m]λαὸν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ. 15 καὶ τούτῳ συμφωνοῦσιν οἱ λόγοι τῶν προφητῶν, καθὼς γέγραπται· 16 Μετὰ ταῦτα ἀναστρέψω καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω τὴν σκηνὴν Δαυὶδ τὴν πεπτωκυῖαν καὶ τὰ [n]κατεσκαμμένα αὐτῆς ἀνοικοδομήσω καὶ ἀνορθώσω αὐτήν, 17 ὅπως ἂν ἐκζητήσωσιν οἱ κατάλοιποι τῶν ἀνθρώπων τὸν κύριον, καὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἐφ’ οὓς ἐπικέκληται τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐπ’ αὐτούς, λέγει [o]κύριος ποιῶν [p]ταῦτα 18 γνωστὰ ἀπ’ [q]αἰῶνος. 19 διὸ ἐγὼ κρίνω μὴ παρενοχλεῖν τοῖς ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνῶν ἐπιστρέφουσιν ἐπὶ τὸν θεόν, 20 ἀλλὰ ἐπιστεῖλαι αὐτοῖς τοῦ [r]ἀπέχεσθαι τῶν ἀλισγημάτων τῶν εἰδώλων καὶ τῆς πορνείας καὶ [s]τοῦ πνικτοῦ καὶ τοῦ αἵματος· 21 Μωϋσῆς γὰρ ἐκ γενεῶν ἀρχαίων κατὰ πόλιν τοὺς κηρύσσοντας αὐτὸν ἔχει ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς κατὰ πᾶν σάββατον ἀναγινωσκόμενος.

22 Τότε ἔδοξε τοῖς ἀποστόλοις καὶ τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις σὺν ὅλῃ τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἐκλεξαμένους ἄνδρας ἐξ αὐτῶν πέμψαι εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν σὺν [t]τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ Βαρναβᾷ, Ἰούδαν τὸν [u]καλούμενον Βαρσαββᾶν καὶ Σιλᾶν, ἄνδρας ἡγουμένους ἐν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς, 23 γράψαντες διὰ χειρὸς [v]αὐτῶν· Οἱ ἀπόστολοι καὶ οἱ [w]πρεσβύτεροι ἀδελφοὶ τοῖς κατὰ τὴν Ἀντιόχειαν καὶ Συρίαν καὶ Κιλικίαν ἀδελφοῖς τοῖς ἐξ ἐθνῶν χαίρειν. 24 ἐπειδὴ ἠκούσαμεν ὅτι τινὲς ἐξ ἡμῶν [x]ἐξελθόντες ἐτάραξαν ὑμᾶς λόγοις ἀνασκευάζοντες τὰς ψυχὰς [y]ὑμῶν οἷς οὐ διεστειλάμεθα, 25 ἔδοξεν ἡμῖν γενομένοις ὁμοθυμαδὸν [z]ἐκλεξαμένοις ἄνδρας πέμψαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς σὺν τοῖς ἀγαπητοῖς ἡμῶν Βαρναβᾷ καὶ Παύλῳ, 26 ἀνθρώποις παραδεδωκόσι τὰς ψυχὰς αὐτῶν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. 27 ἀπεστάλκαμεν οὖν Ἰούδαν καὶ Σιλᾶν, καὶ αὐτοὺς διὰ λόγου ἀπαγγέλλοντας τὰ αὐτά. 28 ἔδοξεν γὰρ τῷ [aa]πνεύματι τῷ ἁγίῳ καὶ ἡμῖν μηδὲν πλέον ἐπιτίθεσθαι ὑμῖν βάρος πλὴν [ab]τούτων τῶν ἐπάναγκες, 29 ἀπέχεσθαι εἰδωλοθύτων καὶ αἵματος καὶ [ac]πνικτῶν καὶ πορνείας· ἐξ ὧν διατηροῦντες ἑαυτοὺς εὖ πράξετε. ἔρρωσθε.

30 Οἱ μὲν οὖν ἀπολυθέντες [ad]κατῆλθον εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν, καὶ συναγαγόντες τὸ πλῆθος ἐπέδωκαν τὴν ἐπιστολήν· 31 ἀναγνόντες δὲ ἐχάρησαν ἐπὶ τῇ παρακλήσει. 32 Ἰούδας τε καὶ Σιλᾶς, καὶ αὐτοὶ προφῆται ὄντες, διὰ λόγου πολλοῦ παρεκάλεσαν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ ἐπεστήριξαν· 33 ποιήσαντες δὲ χρόνον ἀπελύθησαν μετ’ εἰρήνης ἀπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν πρὸς τοὺς [ae]ἀποστείλαντας αὐτούς. 35 Παῦλος δὲ καὶ Βαρναβᾶς διέτριβον ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ διδάσκοντες καὶ εὐαγγελιζόμενοι μετὰ καὶ ἑτέρων πολλῶν τὸν λόγον τοῦ κυρίου.

36 Μετὰ δέ τινας ἡμέρας εἶπεν [af]πρὸς Βαρναβᾶν Παῦλος· Ἐπιστρέψαντες δὴ ἐπισκεψώμεθα τοὺς [ag]ἀδελφοὺς κατὰ [ah]πόλιν πᾶσαν ἐν αἷς κατηγγείλαμεν τὸν λόγον τοῦ κυρίου, πῶς ἔχουσιν. 37 Βαρναβᾶς δὲ [ai]ἐβούλετο συμπαραλαβεῖν [aj]καὶ τὸν Ἰωάννην τὸν καλούμενον Μᾶρκον· 38 Παῦλος δὲ ἠξίου, τὸν ἀποστάντα ἀπ’ αὐτῶν ἀπὸ Παμφυλίας καὶ μὴ συνελθόντα αὐτοῖς εἰς τὸ ἔργον, μὴ [ak]συμπαραλαμβάνειν τοῦτον. 39 ἐγένετο [al]δὲ παροξυσμὸς ὥστε ἀποχωρισθῆναι αὐτοὺς ἀπ’ ἀλλήλων, τόν τε Βαρναβᾶν παραλαβόντα τὸν Μᾶρκον ἐκπλεῦσαι εἰς Κύπρον, 40 Παῦλος δὲ ἐπιλεξάμενος Σιλᾶν ἐξῆλθεν παραδοθεὶς τῇ χάριτι τοῦ [am]κυρίου ὑπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν, 41 διήρχετο δὲ τὴν Συρίαν καὶ [an]τὴν Κιλικίαν ἐπιστηρίζων τὰς ἐκκλησίας.

Footnotes

  1. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:1 περιτμηθῆτε WH Treg NIV ] περιτέμνησθε RP
  2. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:1 τῷ WH Treg NIV ] – RP
  3. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:2 δὲ WH Treg NIV ] οὖν RP
  4. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:3 τε WH Treg NIV ] – RP
  5. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:4 Ἱεροσόλυμα Treg ] Ἱερουσαλὴμ WH NIV RP
  6. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:4 παρεδέχθησαν WH Treg NIV ] ἀπεδέχθησαν RP
  7. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:4 ἀπὸ WH Treg NIV ] ὑπὸ RP
  8. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:6 τε WH Treg NIV ] δὲ RP
  9. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:7 ζητήσεως WH Treg NIV ] συζητήσεως RP
  10. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:7 ἐν ὑμῖν ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεὸς WH Treg NIV ] ὁ θεὸς ἐν ὑμῖν ἐξελέξατο RP
  11. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:8 δοὺς WH Treg NIV ] + αὐτοῖς RP
  12. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:9 οὐθὲν WH Treg NIV ] οὐδὲν RP
  13. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:14 λαὸν WH Treg NIV ] + ἐπὶ RP
  14. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:16 κατεσκαμμένα NIV RP ] κατεστραμμένα WH Treg
  15. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:17 κύριος WH Treg NIV ] + ὁ RP
  16. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:17 ταῦτα WH Treg NIV ] + πάντα RP
  17. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:18 αἰῶνος WH Treg NIV ] + ἐστιν τῷ θεῷ πάντα τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ RP
  18. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:20 ἀπέχεσθαι WH Treg NIV ] + ἀπὸ RP
  19. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:20 τοῦ NIV RP ] – WH Treg
  20. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:22 τῷ WH Treg NIV ] – RP
  21. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:22 καλούμενον WH Treg NIV ] ἐπικαλούμενον RP
  22. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:23 αὐτῶν WH Treg NIV ] + τάδε RP
  23. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:23 πρεσβύτεροι WH Treg NIV ] + καὶ οἱ RP
  24. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:24 ἐξελθόντες Treg NIV RP ] – WH
  25. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:24 ὑμῶν WH Treg NIV ] + λέγοντες περιτέμνεσθαι καὶ τηρεῖν τὸν νόμον RP
  26. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:25 ἐκλεξαμένοις WH Treg NIV ] ἐκλεξαμένους RP
  27. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:28 πνεύματι τῷ ἁγίῳ WH Treg NIV ] ἁγίῳ πνεύματι RP
  28. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:28 τούτων τῶν ἐπάναγκες WH Treg NIV ] τῶν ἐπάναγκες τούτων RP
  29. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:29 πνικτῶν WH Treg NIV ] πνικτοῦ RP
  30. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:30 κατῆλθον WH Treg NIV ] ἦλθον RP
  31. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:33 ἀποστείλαντας αὐτούς WH Treg NIV ] + ἀποστόλους RP; + 34 ἔδοξε δὲ τῷ Σίλᾳ ἐπιμεῖναι αὐτοῦ TR
  32. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:36 πρὸς Βαρναβᾶν Παῦλος WH Treg NIV ] Παῦλος πρὸς Βαρναβᾶν RP
  33. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:36 ἀδελφοὺς WH Treg NIV ] + ἡμῶν RP
  34. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:36 πόλιν πᾶσαν WH Treg NIV ] πᾶσαν πόλιν RP
  35. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:37 ἐβούλετο WH Treg NIV ] ἐβουλεύσατο RP
  36. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:37 καὶ WH Treg NIV ] – RP
  37. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:38 συμπαραλαμβάνειν WH Treg NIV ] συμπαραλαβεῖν RP
  38. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:39 δὲ WH Treg NIV ] οὖν RP
  39. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:40 κυρίου WH Treg NIV ] θεοῦ RP
  40. ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ 15:41 τὴν WH NIV ] – Treg RP
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Acts 15
New American Standard Bible

The Council in Jerusalem

15 (A)Some men came down from Judea and began teaching (B)the brothers, “Unless you are (C)circumcised according to (D)the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had [a]a heated argument and (E)debate with them, (F)the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the (G)apostles and elders concerning this issue. 3 Therefore, after being (H)sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both (I)Phoenicia and Samaria, (J)describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they were bringing great joy to all (K)the brothers and sisters. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church, (L)the apostles, and the elders, and they (M)reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of (N)the sect of the (O)Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to (P)circumcise [b]them and to direct them to keep the Law of Moses.”

6 (Q)The apostles and the elders came together to [c]look into this [d]matter. 7 After there had been much (R)debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “[e]Brothers, you know that [f]in the early days (S)God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of (T)the gospel and believe. 8 And God, (U)who knows the heart, testified to them (V)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and (W)He made no distinction between us and them, (X)cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Since this is the case, why are you (Y)putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which (Z)neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through (AA)the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”

12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were (AB)relating all the (AC)signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

James’ Judgment

13 After they stopped speaking, [g](AD)James responded, saying, “[h]Brothers, listen to me. 14 (AE)Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles. 15 The words of (AF)the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written:

16 ‘(AG)After these things (AH)I will return,
And I will rebuild the fallen [i]tabernacle of David,
And I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will restore it,
17 (AI)So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
And all the Gentiles [j](AJ)who are called by My name,’
18 (AK)Says the Lord, who [k](AL)makes these things known from long ago.

19 Therefore, it is (AM)my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from [l](AN)things contaminated by idols, from (AO)acts of sexual immorality, from (AP)what has been [m]strangled, and from blood. 21 For (AQ)from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since [n]he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22 Then it seemed good to (AR)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to (AS)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and (AT)Silas, leading men among (AU)the brothers, 23 and they [o]sent this letter with them:

“(AV)The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to (AW)the brothers and sisters in (AX)Antioch, (AY)Syria, and (AZ)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: (BA)Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that (BB)some [p]of our number to whom we gave no instruction have (BC)confused you by their [q]teaching, upsetting your souls, 25 (BD)it seemed good to us, having [r]become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have [s](BE)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore, we have sent (BF)Judas and (BG)Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For (BH)it seemed good to (BI)the Holy Spirit and to (BJ)us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from (BK)things sacrificed to idols, from (BL)blood, from (BM)things strangled, and from (BN)acts of sexual immorality; [t]if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent away, (BO)they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the [u]congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its [v]encouragement. 32 (BP)Judas and (BQ)Silas, also being (BR)prophets themselves, [w]encouraged and strengthened (BS)the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters (BT)in peace to those who had (BU)sent them out.[x] 35 But (BV)Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and (BW)preaching (BX)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 (BY)every city in which we proclaimed (BZ)the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take (CA)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 (CB)deserted them [y]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 (CC)Mark with him and sailed away to (CD)Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose (CE)Silas, and left after being (CF)entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through (CG)Syria and (CH)Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:2 Lit no little
  2. Acts 15:5 I.e., Gentile believers
  3. Acts 15:6 Lit see about
  4. Acts 15:6 Lit word
  5. Acts 15:7 Lit Men, brothers
  6. Acts 15:7 Lit from days of old
  7. Acts 15:13 Or Jacob
  8. Acts 15:13 Lit Men, brothers
  9. Acts 15:16 Or tent
  10. Acts 15:17 Lit upon whom My name is called
  11. Acts 15:18 Or does these things which were known
  12. Acts 15:20 Lit the pollutions of
  13. Acts 15:20 I.e., to retain the blood
  14. Acts 15:21 I.e., the books of Moses, Gen through Deut
  15. Acts 15:23 Lit wrote by their hand
  16. Acts 15:24 Lit from us
  17. Acts 15:24 Lit words
  18. Acts 15:25 Or met together
  19. Acts 15:26 Lit given over
  20. Acts 15:29 Lit from which keeping yourselves free
  21. Acts 15:30 Or multitude
  22. Acts 15:31 Or exhortation
  23. Acts 15:32 Or exhorted
  24. Acts 15:33 Late mss add as v 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
  25. Acts 15:38 Lit from
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Acts 14
Acts 16
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