Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
15 1 And certain ones having come down from Judea were teaching the brothers that “Unless you are circumcised by the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved”. 2 And no small dispute and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them having taken place, they[a] appointed[b] Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue. 3 So indeed the ones, having been sent-forward by the church, were going through both Phoenicia and Samaria describing-in-detail the conversion[c] of the Gentiles. And they were producing great joy in all the brothers. 4 And having arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders. And they reported all-that God did with them. 5 But some of the ones from the sect of the Pharisees having believed[d] stood-up-out-of the assembly, saying that “It-is-necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses”.
A Letter Is Sent To Clear Up The Issue And Encourage The Gentile Believers
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, along with the whole church, that having chosen men from-among them they should send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas— Judas (the one being called Barsabbas) and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 having written by their hand:
“The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers from the Gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Because we heard that some having gone out from us disturbed you with words, unsettling your souls— to whom we did not give-orders— 25 it seemed good to us, having become of-one-accord, having chosen men, that we should send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul— 26 men[a] having handed-over their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent-forth Judas and Silas; they also will be declaring the same things by spoken word. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to be laying-on you no greater burden except these essentials[b]: 29 that you be abstaining from foods-sacrificed-to-idols, and blood, and strangled things, and sexual immorality; keeping yourselves from which things, you will do well. Farewell”.
30 So indeed the ones, having been sent-away, went down to Antioch. And having gathered together the multitude, they delivered the letter. 31 And having read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. 32 Both Judas and Silas, also themselves being prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a long[c] message. 33 And having done time there, they were sent-away with greetings of peace from the brothers to the ones having sent them out. 34 [d]
Paul And Barnabas Plan a Second Missionary Journey From Antioch, But Split Over John Mark
35 Now Paul and Barnabas were spending-time in Antioch, teaching and announcing-as-good-news the word of the Lord, along with many others also.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing