Christian Standard Bible | NET Bible |
1Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved." | 1Now some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." |
2After Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue. | 2When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate with them, the church appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to meet with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this point of disagreement. |
3When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters. | 3So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they were relating at length the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. |
4When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. | 4When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all the things God had done with them. |
5But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses." | 5But some from the religious party of the Pharisees who had believed stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and to order them to observe the law of Moses." |
6The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter. | 6Both the apostles and the elders met together to deliberate about this matter. |
7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: "Brothers and sisters, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. | 7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message of the gospel and believe. |
8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. | 8And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, |
9He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. | 9and he made no distinction between them and us, cleansing their hearts by faith. |
10Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples' necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? | 10So now why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? |
11On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are." | 11On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they are." |
12The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. | 12The whole group kept quiet and listened to Barnabas and Paul while they explained all the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. |
13After they stopped speaking, James responded: "Brothers and sisters, listen to me. | 13After they stopped speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me. |
14Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name. | 14Simeon has explained how God first concerned himself to select from among the Gentiles a people for his name. |
15And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: | 15The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written, |
16After these things I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and set it up again, | 16After this I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David; I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, |
17so the rest of humanity may seek the Lord--even all the Gentiles who are called by my name--declares the Lord who makes these things | 17so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, namely, all the Gentiles I have called to be my own,' says the Lord, who makes these things |
18known from long ago. | 18known from long ago. |
19Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, | 19"Therefore I conclude that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God, |
20but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. | 20but that we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things defiled by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood. |
21For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues." | 21For Moses has had those who proclaim him in every town from ancient times, because he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath." |
22Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers. | 22Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to send men chosen from among them, Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leaders among the brothers, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. |
23They wrote: "From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers and sisters among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. | 23They sent this letter with them: From the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the Gentile brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, greetings! |
24Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts, | 24Since we have heard that some have gone out from among us with no orders from us and have confused you, upsetting your minds by what they said, |
25we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, | 25we have unanimously decided to choose men to send to you along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, |
26who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. | 26who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
27Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth. | 27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas who will tell you these things themselves in person. |
28For it was the Holy Spirit's decision--and ours--not to place further burdens on you beyond these requirements: | 28For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place any greater burden on you than these necessary rules: |
29that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. You will do well if you keep yourselves from these things. Farewell." | 29that you abstain from meat that has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what has been strangled and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from doing these things, you will do well. Farewell. |
30So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. | 30So when they were dismissed, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the entire group together, they delivered the letter. |
31When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. | 31When they read it aloud, the people rejoiced at its encouragement. |
32Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message. | 32Both Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a long speech. |
33After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them. | 33After they had spent some time there, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. |
35But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord. | 35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming (along with many others) the word of the Lord. |
36After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they're doing." | 36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's return and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord to see how they are doing." |
37Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark. | 37Barnabas wanted to bring John called Mark along with them too, |
38But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. | 38but Paul insisted that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. |
39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. | 39They had a sharp disagreement, so that they parted company. Barnabas took along Mark and sailed away to Cyprus, |
40But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord. | 40but Paul chose Silas and set out, commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers and sisters. |
41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. | 41He passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. |
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