Acts 15:2-33
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 15
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. 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.'
6The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.
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.
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.'
13After they stopped speaking, James responded, saying, 'Brothers, listen to me.
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.
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.
21For from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.'
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: 'The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to the brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: Greetings.
24Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have confused you by their teaching, upsetting your souls,
25it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:
29that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from acts of sexual immorality; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.'
30So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the congregation together, they delivered the letter.
31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
32Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message.
33After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters in peace to those who had sent them out.
King James Version
Chapter 15
2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
22Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 15
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. 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.
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.
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."
6The apostles and the elders gathered to consider 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.
8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us.
9He made no distinction between us and them, 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?
11On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way 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.
13After they stopped speaking, James responded: "Brothers and sisters, listen to me.
14Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name.
15And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16 After these things I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and set it up again,
17 so 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
18known from long ago.
19Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn 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.
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."
24Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,
25we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul,
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.
28For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision—and ours—not to place further burdens on you beyond these requirements:
30So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter.
31When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
32Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message.
33After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them.
New Living Translation
Chapter 15
2Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. 3The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them — much to everyone’s joy — that the Gentiles, too, were being converted.
4When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them.
5But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, 'The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.'
6So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue.
7At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: 'Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe.
8God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
9He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith.
10So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear?
11We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.'
13When they had finished, James stood and said, 'Brothers, listen to me.
14Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself.
15And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written:
16‘Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it,
17so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles — all those I have called to be mine. The Lord has spoken —
18he who made these things known so long ago.’
19And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood.
21For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations.'
24'We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them!
25So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.
28'For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements:
29You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.'
English Standard Version
Chapter 15
2And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses."
6The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
7And after 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 should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,
9and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
10Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
11But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."
12And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me.
14Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
15And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 "‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,
17that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things
18 known from of old.’
19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
20but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
21For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues."
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
23with the following letter: "The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.
24Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,
25it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.
28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
29that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."
30So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.
31And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
32And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.
33And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
New International Version
Chapter 15
2This 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 to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4When 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.
6The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
7After 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.
8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.
9He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?
11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
12The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
13When they finished, James spoke up. "Brothers," he said, "listen to me.
14Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.
15The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16" ‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,
17that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’ —
18things known from long ago.
19"It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
21For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."
24We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.
25So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul—
26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.
28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:
30So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.
31The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.
32Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.
33After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.
New King James Version
3So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
4And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.
5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
6Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
9and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
12Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
13And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:
14Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
15And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up;
17So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’
18“Known to God from eternity are all His works.
19Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
21For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
23They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24Since 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 such commandment—
25it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
30So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
32Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.
33And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
