The Sin of Judah

17 “The sin of Judah is written with (A)a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on (B)the tablet of their heart, and on (C)the horns of their altars, while (D)their children remember their altars and their (E)Asherim, (F)beside every green tree and on the high hills, (G)on the mountains in the open country. (H)Your wealth and all your treasures I will give for spoil as the price of your high places for sin throughout all your territory. You shall loosen your hand from your heritage that I gave to you, (I)and I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you do not know, (J)for in my anger a fire is kindled that shall burn forever.”

Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man (K)who trusts in man
    and makes flesh his strength,[a]
    whose heart turns away from the Lord.
(L)He is like a shrub in the desert,
    (M)and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
    in (N)an uninhabited salt land.

(O)“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    (P)whose trust is the Lord.
(Q)He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

The heart is deceitful above all things,
    and desperately sick;
    who can understand it?
10 (R)“I the Lord search the heart
    (S)and test the mind,[b]
(T)to give every man according to his ways,
    according to the fruit of his deeds.”

11 Like the (U)partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch,
    so is (V)he who gets riches but not by justice;
(W)in the midst of his days they will leave him,
    (X)and at his end he will be a fool.

12 A glorious throne set on high from the beginning
    is the place of our sanctuary.
13 O Lord, (Y)the hope of Israel,
    (Z)all who forsake you shall be put to shame;
those who turn away from you[c] (AA)shall be written in the earth,
    for (AB)they have forsaken (AC)the Lord, the fountain of living water.

Jeremiah Prays for Deliverance

14 (AD)Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
    save me, and I shall be saved,
    for (AE)you are my praise.
15 (AF)Behold, they say to me,
    “Where is the word of the Lord?
    Let it come!”
16 I have not run away from being your shepherd,
    nor have I desired the day of sickness.
(AG)You know (AH)what came out of my lips;
    it was before your face.
17 Be not a terror to me;
    (AI)you are my refuge in the day of disaster.
18 (AJ)Let those be put to shame who persecute me,
    but let me not be put to shame;
(AK)let them be dismayed,
    but let me not be dismayed;
(AL)bring upon them the day of disaster;
    destroy them with double destruction!

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 17:5 Hebrew arm
  2. Jeremiah 17:10 Hebrew kidneys
  3. Jeremiah 17:13 Hebrew me

17 “Judah’s sin is engraved with an iron tool,(A)
    inscribed with a flint point,
on the tablets of their hearts(B)
    and on the horns(C) of their altars.
Even their children remember
    their altars and Asherah poles[a](D)
beside the spreading trees
    and on the high hills.(E)
My mountain in the land
    and your[b] wealth and all your treasures
I will give away as plunder,(F)
    together with your high places,(G)
    because of sin throughout your country.(H)
Through your own fault you will lose
    the inheritance(I) I gave you.
I will enslave you to your enemies(J)
    in a land(K) you do not know,
for you have kindled my anger,
    and it will burn(L) forever.”

This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,(M)
    who draws strength from mere flesh
    and whose heart turns away from the Lord.(N)
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
    they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places(O) of the desert,
    in a salt(P) land where no one lives.

“But blessed(Q) is the one who trusts(R) in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.(S)
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought(T)
    and never fails to bear fruit.”(U)

The heart(V) is deceitful above all things
    and beyond cure.
    Who can understand it?

10 “I the Lord search the heart(W)
    and examine the mind,(X)
to reward(Y) each person according to their conduct,
    according to what their deeds deserve.”(Z)

11 Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay
    are those who gain riches by unjust means.
When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them,
    and in the end they will prove to be fools.(AA)

12 A glorious throne,(AB) exalted from the beginning,
    is the place of our sanctuary.
13 Lord, you are the hope(AC) of Israel;
    all who forsake(AD) you will be put to shame.
Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust(AE)
    because they have forsaken the Lord,
    the spring of living water.(AF)

14 Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;(AG)
    save(AH) me and I will be saved,
    for you are the one I praise.(AI)
15 They keep saying to me,
    “Where is the word of the Lord?
    Let it now be fulfilled!”(AJ)
16 I have not run away from being your shepherd;
    you know I have not desired the day of despair.
    What passes my lips(AK) is open before you.
17 Do not be a terror(AL) to me;
    you are my refuge(AM) in the day of disaster.(AN)
18 Let my persecutors be put to shame,
    but keep me from shame;
let them be terrified,
    but keep me from terror.
Bring on them the day of disaster;
    destroy them with double destruction.(AO)

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 17:2 That is, wooden symbols of the goddess Asherah
  2. Jeremiah 17:3 Or hills / and the mountains of the land. / Your

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.” 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. 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] (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. 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.”

(R)The (S)apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 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. 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, 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.”

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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

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.

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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

Keep the Sabbath Holy

19 Thus said the Lord to me: “Go and stand in the People's Gate, by which (A)the kings of Judah enter and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem, 20 and say: ‘Hear the word of the Lord, (B)you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. 21 Thus says the Lord: Take care for the sake of your lives, and (C)do not bear a burden on the Sabbath day or bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. 22 And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath (D)or do any work, but (E)keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your fathers. 23 Yet (F)they did not listen or incline their ear, (G)but stiffened their neck, that they (H)might not hear and receive instruction.

24 “‘But if you listen to me, declares the Lord, and (I)bring in no burden by the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but (J)keep the Sabbath day holy and do no work on it, 25 then (K)there shall enter by the gates of this city kings and princes who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their officials, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And this city shall be inhabited forever. 26 And people shall come from (L)the cities of Judah (M)and the places around Jerusalem, (N)from the land of Benjamin, (O)from the Shephelah, from the hill country, (P)and from (Q)the Negeb, bringing (R)burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and (S)bringing thank offerings to the house of the Lord. 27 But if you do not listen to me, to (T)keep the Sabbath day holy, (U)and not to bear a burden and enter by the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will (V)kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall (W)devour the palaces of Jerusalem and (X)shall not be quenched.’”

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Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

19 This is what the Lord said to me: “Go and stand at the Gate of the People,[a] through which the kings of Judah go in and out; stand also at all the other gates of Jerusalem.(A) 20 Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah and all people of Judah and everyone living in Jerusalem(B) who come through these gates.(C) 21 This is what the Lord says: Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath(D) day or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem. 22 Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your ancestors.(E) 23 Yet they did not listen or pay attention;(F) they were stiff-necked(G) and would not listen or respond to discipline.(H) 24 But if you are careful to obey me, declares the Lord, and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy(I) by not doing any work on it, 25 then kings who sit on David’s throne(J) will come through the gates of this city with their officials. They and their officials will come riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by the men of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, and this city will be inhabited forever.(K) 26 People will come from the towns of Judah and the villages around Jerusalem, from the territory of Benjamin and the western foothills, from the hill country and the Negev,(L) bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the Lord. 27 But if you do not obey(M) me to keep the Sabbath(N) day holy by not carrying any load as you come through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire(O) in the gates of Jerusalem that will consume her fortresses.’”(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 17:19 Or Army

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 (A)prophets, encouraged and (B)strengthened (C)the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off (D)in peace by (E)the brothers to those who had sent them.[a] 35 But (F)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 (G)the brothers (H)in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them (I)John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one (J)who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose (K)a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. (L)Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, (M)having been commended by (N)the brothers to (O)the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, (P)strengthening the churches.

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

16 Paul[b] came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named (Q)Timothy, (R)the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by (S)the brothers[c] at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he (T)took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance (U)the decisions (V)that had been reached by (W)the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. (X)So the churches were strengthened in (Y)the faith, and they increased in numbers (Z)daily.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:33 Some manuscripts insert verse 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there
  2. Acts 16:1 Greek He
  3. Acts 16:2 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 40

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,(A) who themselves were prophets,(B) 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(C) to return to those who had sent them. [34] [a] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached(D) the word of the Lord.(E)

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(F) where we preached the word of the Lord(G) and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,(H) with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them(I) 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(J) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.(K) 41 He went through Syria(L) and Cilicia,(M) strengthening the churches.(N)

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

16 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra,(O) where a disciple named Timothy(P) lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer(Q) but whose father was a Greek. The believers(R) at Lystra and Iconium(S) spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.(T) As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders(U) in Jerusalem(V) for the people to obey.(W) So the churches were strengthened(X) in the faith and grew daily in numbers.(Y)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:34 Some manuscripts include here But Silas decided to remain there.