²³ Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting.^(A) When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord^(B) appeared to all the people. ²⁴ Fire^(C) came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.^(D)

⁸ God, who knows the heart,^(A) showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them,^(B) just as he did to us. ⁹ He did not discriminate between us and them,^(C) for he purified their hearts by faith.^{(D) 10} Now then, why do you try to test God^(E) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke^(F) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? ¹¹ No! We believe it is through the grace^(G) of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

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