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1Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2And after Paul and Barnabas had a heated argument and debate with them, the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.[#15:2 Lit no little]
3Therefore, after being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they were bringing great joy to all the brothers and sisters.
4When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.
5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to keep the Law of Moses.”[#15:5 I.e., Gentile believers]
6The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.[#15:6 Lit see about; #15:6 Lit word]
7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe.[#15:7 Lit Men, brothers; #15:7 Lit from days of old]
8And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;
9and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
10Since this is the case, why are you putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?
11But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”
12All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13After they stopped speaking, James responded, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.[#15:13 Or Jacob; #15:13 Lit Men, brothers]
14Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles.
15The words of the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written:
16‘After these things I will return,
And I will rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David ,
And I will rebuild its ruins ,
And I will restore it ,
17So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord ,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name ,’
18Says the Lord , who makes these things known from long ago.[#15:18 Or does these things which were known]
19Therefore, it is my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols, from acts of sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood.[#15:20 Lit the pollutions of; #15:20 I.e., to retain the blood]
21For from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”[#15:21 I.e., the books of Moses, Gen through Deut]
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
23and they sent this letter with them:[#15:23 Lit wrote by their hand]
30So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the congregation together, they delivered the letter.[#15:30 Or multitude]
31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.[#15:31 Or exhortation]
32Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message.[#15:32 Or exhorted]
33After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters in peace to those who had sent them out.[#15:33 Late mss add as v 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.]
35But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”
37Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also.
38But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.[#15:38 Lit from]
39Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.
40But Paul chose Silas, and left after being entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.