The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost^(A) came, they were all together^(B) in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.^{(C) 3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit^(D) and began to speak in other tongues^[a](E) as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing^(F) Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed,^(G) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?^{(H) 8} Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,^(I) Pontus^(J) and Asia,^{[b](K) 10} Phrygia^(L) and Pamphylia,^(M) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;^(N) visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”^(O)

Peter Addresses the Crowd

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!^{(P) 16} No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth^(X) was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,^(Y) which God did among you through him,^(Z) as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;^(AA) and you, with the help of wicked men,^[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.^{(AB) 24} But God raised him from the dead,^(AC) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.^{(AD) 25} David said about him:

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites,^(AG) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch^(AH) David died and was buried,^(AI) and his tomb is here^(AJ) to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.^{(AK) 31} Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.^{(AL) 32} God has raised this Jesus to life,^(AM) and we are all witnesses^(AN) of it. ³³ Exalted^(AO) to the right hand of God,^(AP) he has received from the Father^(AQ) the promised Holy Spirit^(AR) and has poured out^(AS) what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord^(AU) and Messiah.”^(AV)

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”^(AW)

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,^(AX) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.^(AY) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^{(AZ) 39} The promise is for you and your children^(BA) and for all who are far off^(BB)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”^{(BC) 41} Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number^(BD) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching^(BE) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread^(BF) and to prayer.^{(BG) 43} Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.^{(BH) 44} All the believers were together and had everything in common.^{(BI) 45} They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^{(BJ) 46} Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.^(BK) They broke bread^(BL) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(BM) And the Lord added to their number^(BN) daily those who were being saved.

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book,^(A) Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach^{(B) 2} until the day he was taken up to heaven,^(C) after giving instructions^(D) through the Holy Spirit to the apostles^(E) he had chosen.^{(F) 3} After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them^(G) over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.^{(H) 4} On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait^(I) for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.^{(J) 5} For John baptized with^[a] water,^(K) but in a few days you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.”^(L)

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore^(M) the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.^{(N) 8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;^(O) and you will be my witnesses^(P) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,^(Q) and to the ends of the earth.”^(R)

⁹ After he said this, he was taken up^(S) before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white^(T) stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,”^(U) they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back^(V) in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹² Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem^(W) from the hill called the Mount of Olives,^(X) a Sabbath day’s walk^[c] from the city. ¹³ When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room^(Y) where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.^{(Z) 14} They all joined together constantly in prayer,^(AA) along with the women^(AB) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.^(AC)

¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶ and said, “Brothers and sisters,^[d](AD) the Scripture had to be fulfilled^(AE) in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas,^(AF) who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ He was one of our number^(AG) and shared in our ministry.”^(AH)

¹⁸ (With the payment^(AI) he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field;^(AJ) there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹ Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language^(AK) Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

²⁰ “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

and,

²¹ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, ²² beginning from John’s baptism^(AN) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness^(AO) with us of his resurrection.”

²³ So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed,^(AP) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.^(AQ) Show us^(AR) which of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.^(AS)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost^(AT) came, they were all together^(AU) in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.^{(AV) 3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit^(AW) and began to speak in other tongues^[g](AX) as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing^(AY) Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed,^(AZ) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?^{(BA) 8} Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,^(BB) Pontus^(BC) and Asia,^{[h](BD) 10} Phrygia^(BE) and Pamphylia,^(BF) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;^(BG) visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”^(BH)

Peter Addresses the Crowd

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!^{(BI) 16} No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth^(BQ) was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,^(BR) which God did among you through him,^(BS) as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;^(BT) and you, with the help of wicked men,^[j] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.^{(BU) 24} But God raised him from the dead,^(BV) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.^{(BW) 25} David said about him:

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites,^(BZ) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch^(CA) David died and was buried,^(CB) and his tomb is here^(CC) to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.^{(CD) 31} Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.^{(CE) 32} God has raised this Jesus to life,^(CF) and we are all witnesses^(CG) of it. ³³ Exalted^(CH) to the right hand of God,^(CI) he has received from the Father^(CJ) the promised Holy Spirit^(CK) and has poured out^(CL) what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord^(CN) and Messiah.”^(CO)

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”^(CP)

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,^(CQ) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.^(CR) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^{(CS) 39} The promise is for you and your children^(CT) and for all who are far off^(CU)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”^{(CV) 41} Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number^(CW) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching^(CX) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread^(CY) and to prayer.^{(CZ) 43} Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.^{(DA) 44} All the believers were together and had everything in common.^{(DB) 45} They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^{(DC) 46} Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.^(DD) They broke bread^(DE) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(DF) And the Lord added to their number^(DG) daily those who were being saved.

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

3 One day Peter and John^(DH) were going up to the temple^(DI) at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.^{(DJ) 2} Now a man who was lame from birth^(DK) was being carried to the temple gate^(DL) called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg^(DM) from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,^(DN) walk.” ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping,^(DO) and praising God. ⁹ When all the people^(DP) saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful,^(DQ) and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

¹¹ While the man held on to Peter and John,^(DR) all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.^{(DS) 12} When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,^(DT) the God of our fathers,^(DU) has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over^(DV) to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate,^(DW) though he had decided to let him go.^{(DX) 14} You disowned the Holy^(DY) and Righteous One^(DZ) and asked that a murderer be released to you.^{(EA) 15} You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.^(EB) We are witnesses^(EC) of this. ¹⁶ By faith in the name of Jesus,^(ED) this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

¹⁷ “Now, fellow Israelites,^(EE) I know that you acted in ignorance,^(EF) as did your leaders.^{(EG) 18} But this is how God fulfilled^(EH) what he had foretold^(EI) through all the prophets,^(EJ) saying that his Messiah would suffer.^{(EK) 19} Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,^(EL) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Messiah,^(EM) who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹ Heaven must receive him^(EN) until the time comes for God to restore everything,^(EO) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.^{(EP) 22} For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.^{(EQ) 23} Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’^[m](ER)

²⁴ “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets^(ES) who have spoken have foretold these days. ²⁵ And you are heirs^(ET) of the prophets and of the covenant^(EU) God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’^{[n](EV) 26} When God raised up^(EW) his servant, he sent him first^(EX) to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard^(EY) and the Sadducees^(EZ) came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. ² They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.^{(FA) 3} They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail^(FB) until the next day. ⁴ But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew^(FC) to about five thousand.

⁵ The next day the rulers,^(FD) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,^(FE) John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,^(FF) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!^{(FG) 9} If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame^(FH) and are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,^(FI) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,^(FJ) that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”^(FL)

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John^(FM) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,^(FN) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.^{(FO) 14} But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin^(FP) and then conferred together. ¹⁶ “What are we going to do with these men?”^(FQ) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,^(FR) and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.^{(FS) 19} But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?^(FT) You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking^(FU) about what we have seen and heard.”^(FV)

²¹ After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people^(FW) were praising God^(FX) for what had happened. ²² For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.^(FY) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.^{(FZ) 25} You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:^(GA)

²⁷ Indeed Herod^(GC) and Pontius Pilate^(GD) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,^(GE) whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.^{(GF) 29} Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.^{(GG) 30} Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders^(GH) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”^(GI)

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.^(GJ) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit^(GK) and spoke the word of God^(GL) boldly.^(GM)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.^{(GN) 33} With great power the apostles continued to testify^(GO) to the resurrection^(GP) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace^(GQ) was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,^(GR) brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet,^(GS) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.^(GT)

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas^(GU) (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.^(GV)

In Iconium

14 At Iconium^(A) Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue.^(B) There they spoke so effectively that a great number^(C) of Jews and Greeks believed. ² But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.^{(D) 3} So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly^(E) for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.^{(F) 4} The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.^{(G) 5} There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews,^(H) together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.^{(I) 6} But they found out about it and fled^(J) to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, ⁷ where they continued to preach^(K) the gospel.^(L)

In Lystra and Derbe

⁸ In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth^(M) and had never walked. ⁹ He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed^{(N) 10} and called out, “Stand up on your feet!”^(O) At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.^(P)

¹¹ When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”^{(Q) 12} Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.^{(R) 13} The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes^(S) and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ¹⁵ “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human,^(T) like you. We are bringing you good news,^(U) telling you to turn from these worthless things^(V) to the living God,^(W) who made the heavens and the earth^(X) and the sea and everything in them.^{(Y) 16} In the past, he let^(Z) all nations go their own way.^{(AA) 17} Yet he has not left himself without testimony:^(AB) He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons;^(AC) he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”^{(AD) 18} Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

¹⁹ Then some Jews^(AE) came from Antioch and Iconium^(AF) and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul^(AG) and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. ²⁰ But after the disciples^(AH) had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

The Return to Antioch in Syria

²¹ They preached the gospel^(AI) in that city and won a large number^(AJ) of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium^(AK) and Antioch, ²² strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.^(AL) “We must go through many hardships^(AM) to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. ²³ Paul and Barnabas appointed elders^[a](AN) for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,^(AO) committed them to the Lord,^(AP) in whom they had put their trust. ²⁴ After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,^{(AQ) 25} and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

²⁶ From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch,^(AR) where they had been committed to the grace of God^(AS) for the work they had now completed.^{(AT) 27} On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them^(AU) and how he had opened a door^(AV) of faith to the Gentiles. ²⁸ And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.^(AW)

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Certain people^(AX) came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers:^(AY) “Unless you are circumcised,^(AZ) according to the custom taught by Moses,^(BA) you cannot be saved.” 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^(BB) to see the apostles and elders^(BC) about this question. ³ The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia^(BD) and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted.^(BE) This news made all the believers very glad. ⁴ 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.^(BF)

⁵ Then some of the believers who belonged to the party^(BG) of the Pharisees^(BH) stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”^(BI)

⁶ The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 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.^{(BJ) 8} God, who knows the heart,^(BK) showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them,^(BL) just as he did to us. ⁹ He did not discriminate between us and them,^(BM) for he purified their hearts by faith.^{(BN) 10} Now then, why do you try to test God^(BO) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke^(BP) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? ¹¹ No! We believe it is through the grace^(BQ) 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^(BR) God had done among the Gentiles through them.^{(BS) 13} When they finished, James^(BT) spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. ¹⁴ Simon^[b] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.^{(BU) 15} The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

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,^(BX) from sexual immorality,^(BY) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.^{(BZ) 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.”^(CA)

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

²² Then the apostles and elders,^(CB) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch^(CC) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,^(CD) men who were leaders among the believers. ²³ With them they sent the following letter:

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,^(CN) who themselves were prophets,^(CO) 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^(CP) to return to those who had sent them. ^{[34] [e] 35} But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached^(CQ) the word of the Lord.^(CR)

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^(CS) where we preached the word of the Lord^(CT) and see how they are doing.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,^(CU) with them, ³⁸ but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them^(CV) 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,