^{1 Ref} Now certain men came down from Judaea, teaching the brothers and saying that without circumcision, after the rule of Moses, there is no salvation.

^{2 Ref} And after Paul and Barnabas had had no little argument and discussion with them, the brothers made a decision to send Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them to the Apostles and the rulers of the church at Jerusalem about this question.

^{3 Ref} So they, being sent on their way by the church, went through Phoenicia and Samaria, giving news of the salvation of the Gentiles, to the great joy of all the brothers.

^{4 Ref} And when they came to Jerusalem, they had a meeting with the church and the Apostles and the rulers, and they gave an account of all the things which God had done through them.

^{5 Ref} But some of the Pharisees, who were of the faith, got up and said, It is necessary for these to have circumcision and to keep the law of Moses.

^{6 Ref} And the Apostles and the rulers of the church came together and gave thought to the question.

^{7 Ref} And when there had been much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, My brothers, you have knowledge that some time back it was God's pleasure that by my mouth the good news might be given to the Gentiles so that they might have faith.

^{8 Ref} And God, the searcher of hearts, was a witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit even as he did to us;

^{9 Ref} Making no division between them and us, but making clean their hearts by faith.

^{10 Ref} Why then are you testing God, by putting on the neck of the disciples a yoke so hard that not even our fathers or we were strong enough for it?

^{11 Ref} But we have faith that we will get salvation through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way as they.

^{12 Ref} And all the people were quiet while Barnabas and Paul gave an account of the signs and wonders which God had done among the Gentiles by them.

^{13 Ref} And when they had come to an end, James, answering, said, My brothers, give ear to me:

^{14 Ref} Symeon has given an account of how God was first pleased to take from among the Gentiles a people for himself.

^{15 Ref} And this is in agreement with the words of the prophets, as it is said,

^{16 Ref} After these things I will come back, and will put up the tent of David which has been broken down, building up again its broken parts and making it complete:

^{17 Ref} So that the rest of men may make search for the Lord, and all the Gentiles on whom my name is named,

^{18 Ref} Says the Lord, who has made these things clear from the earliest times.

^{19 Ref} For this reason my decision is, that we do not put trouble in the way of those who from among the Gentiles are turned to God;

^{20 Ref} But that we give them orders to keep themselves from things offered to false gods, and from the evil desires of the body, and from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the law, and from blood.

^{21 Ref} For Moses, from times long past, has his preachers in every town, reading his law in the Synagogues every Sabbath.

^{22 Ref} Then it seemed good to the Apostles and the rulers and all the church, to send men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas, named Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers:

^{23 Ref} And they sent a letter by them, saying, The Apostles and the older brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, may joy be with you:

^{24 Ref} Because we have knowledge that some who went from us have been troubling you with their words, putting your souls in doubt; to whom we gave no such order;

^{25 Ref} It seemed good to us, having come to an agreement together, to send these men to you, with our well loved Barnabas and Paul,

^{26 Ref} Men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

^{27 Ref} And so we have sent Judas and Silas, who will say the same things to you themselves, by word of mouth.

^{28 Ref} For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to put on you nothing more than these necessary things;

^{29 Ref} To keep from things offered to false gods, and from blood, and from things put to death in ways which are against the law, and from the evil desires of the body; if you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. May you be happy.

^{30 Ref} So they, being sent away, came down to Antioch, and having got the people together, they gave them the letter.

^{31 Ref} And after reading it, they were glad of its comfort.

^{32 Ref} And Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, gave teaching to the brothers and made them strong in the faith.

^{33 Ref} And when they had been there for some time, they were sent back in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.

³⁴ []

^{35 Ref} But Paul and Barnabas kept on in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of God, with a number of others.

^{36 Ref} And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go back and see the brothers in every town where we have given the word of God, and see how they are.

^{37 Ref} And Barnabas had a desire to take with them John, named Mark.

^{38 Ref} But Paul was of the opinion that it was not right to take with them one who had gone away from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with the work.

^{39 Ref} And there was a sharp argument between them, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and went by ship to Cyprus;

^{40 Ref} But Paul took Silas and went away with the blessing of the brothers.

^{41 Ref} And he went through Syria and Cilicia, making the churches stronger in the faith.

^{1 Ref} And certain having come down from Judea, were teaching the brethren -- `If ye be not circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye are not able to be saved;'

^{2 Ref} there having been, therefore, not a little dissension and disputation to Paul and Barnabas with them, they arranged for Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, to go up unto the apostles and elders to Jerusalem about this question,

^{3 Ref} they indeed, then, having been sent forward by the assembly, were passing through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations, and they were causing great joy to all the brethren.

^{4 Ref} And having come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly, and the apostles, and the elders, they declared also as many things as God did with them;

^{5 Ref} and there rose up certain of those of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying -- `It behoveth to circumcise them, to command them also to keep the law of Moses.'

^{6 Ref} And there were gathered together the apostles and the elders, to see about this matter,

^{7 Ref} and there having been much disputing, Peter having risen up said unto them, `Men, brethren, ye know that from former days, God among us did make choice, through my mouth, for the nations to hear the word of the good news, and to believe;

^{8 Ref} and the heart-knowing God did bare them testimony, having given to them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us,

^{9 Ref} and did put no difference also between us and them, by the faith having purified their hearts;

^{10 Ref} now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

^{11 Ref} but, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, even as also they.'

^{12 Ref} And all the multitude did keep silence, and were hearkening to Barnabas and Paul, declaring as many signs and wonders as God did among the nations through them;

^{13 Ref} and after they are silent, James answered, saying, `Men, brethren, hearken to me;

^{14 Ref} Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,

^{15 Ref} and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it hath been written:

^{16 Ref} After these things I will turn back, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen down, and its ruins I will build again, and will set it upright --

^{17 Ref} that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the nations, upon whom My name hath been called, saith the Lord, who is doing all these things.

^{18 Ref} `Known from the ages to God are all His works;

^{19 Ref} wherefore I judge: not to trouble those who from the nations do turn back to God,

^{20 Ref} but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;

^{21 Ref} for Moses from former generations in every city hath those preaching him -- in the synagogues every sabbath being read.'

^{22 Ref} Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, chosen men out of themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas -- Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren --

^{23 Ref} having written through their hand thus: `The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to those in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren, who `are' of the nations, greeting;

^{24 Ref} seeing we have heard that certain having gone forth from us did trouble you with words, subverting your souls, saying to be circumcised and to keep the law, to whom we did give no charge,

^{25 Ref} it seemed good to us, having come together with one accord, chosen men to send unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul --

^{26 Ref} men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ --

^{27 Ref} we have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they by word are telling the same things.

^{28 Ref} `For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, no more burden to lay upon you, except these necessary things:

^{29 Ref} to abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well; be strong!'

^{30 Ref} They then, indeed, having been let go, went to Antioch, and having brought the multitude together, did deliver the epistle,

^{31 Ref} and they having read, did rejoice for the consolation;

^{32 Ref} Judas also and Silas, being themselves also prophets, through much discourse did exhort the brethren, and confirm,

^{33 Ref} and having passed some time, they were let go with peace from the brethren unto the apostles;

³⁴ and it seemed good to Silas to remain there still.

^{35 Ref} And Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming good news -- with many others also -- the word of the Lord;

^{36 Ref} and after certain days, Paul said unto Barnabas, `Having turned back again, we may look after our brethren, in every city in which we have preached the word of the Lord -- how they are.'

^{37 Ref} And Barnabas counseled to take with `them' John called Mark,

^{38 Ref} and Paul was not thinking it good to take him with them who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work;

^{39 Ref} there came, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas having taken Mark, did sail to Cyprus,

^{40 Ref} and Paul having chosen Silas, went forth, having been given up to the grace of God by the brethren;

^{41 Ref} and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.

^{1 Ref} Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved."

^{2 Ref} Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

^{3 Ref} They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.{The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."}

^{4 Ref} When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.

^{5 Ref} But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses."

^{6 Ref} The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.

^{7 Ref} When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe.

^{8 Ref} God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.

^{9 Ref} He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

^{10 Ref} Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

^{11 Ref} But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,{TR adds "Christ"} just as they are."

^{12 Ref} All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

^{13 Ref} After they were silent, James answered, "Brothers, listen to me.

^{14 Ref} Simeon has reported how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

^{15 Ref} This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

^{16 Ref} 'After these things I will return. I will again build the tent of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,

^{17 Ref} That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things.

^{18 Ref} All his works are known to God from eternity.'

^{19 Ref} "Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

^{20 Ref} but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

^{21 Ref} For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."

^{22 Ref} Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.{The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."}

^{23 Ref} They wrote these things by their hand: "The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

^{24 Ref} Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law,' to whom we gave no commandment;

^{25 Ref} it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

^{26 Ref} men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

^{27 Ref} We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.

^{28 Ref} For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:

^{29 Ref} that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell."

^{30 Ref} So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

^{31 Ref} When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.

^{32 Ref} Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.

^{33 Ref} After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles.

³⁴ {Some manuscripts add: But it seemed good to Silas to stay there.}

^{35 Ref} But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

^{36 Ref} After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing."

^{37 Ref} Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.

^{38 Ref} But Paul didn't think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn't go with them to do the work.

^{39 Ref} Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,

^{40 Ref} but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.

^{41 Ref} He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.