15Acts 15

1And 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;'Select Acts 15:1

2there 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,Select Acts 15:2

3they 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.Select Acts 15:3

4And 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;Select Acts 15:4

5and 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.'Select Acts 15:5

6And there were gathered together the apostles and the elders, to see about this matter,Select Acts 15:6

7and 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;Select Acts 15:7

8and the heart-knowing God did bare them testimony, having given to them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us,Select Acts 15:8

9and did put no difference also between us and them, by the faith having purified their hearts;Select Acts 15:9

10now, 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?Select Acts 15:10

11but, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, even as also they.'Select Acts 15:11

12And 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;Select Acts 15:12

13and after they are silent, James answered, saying, `Men, brethren, hearken to me;Select Acts 15:13

14Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,Select Acts 15:14

15and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it hath been written:Select Acts 15:15

16After 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--Select Acts 15:16

17that 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.Select Acts 15:17

18`Known from the ages to God are all His works;Select Acts 15:18

19wherefore I judge: not to trouble those who from the nations do turn back to God,Select Acts 15:19

20but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;Select Acts 15:20

21for Moses from former generations in every city hath those preaching him--in the synagogues every sabbath being read.'Select Acts 15:21

22Then 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--Select Acts 15:22

23having 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;Select Acts 15:23

24seeing 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,Select Acts 15:24

25it seemed good to us, having come together with one accord, chosen men to send unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul--Select Acts 15:25

26men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--Select Acts 15:26

27we have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they by word are telling the same things.Select Acts 15:27

28`For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, no more burden to lay upon you, except these necessary things:Select Acts 15:28

29to abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well; be strong!'Select Acts 15:29

30They then, indeed, having been let go, went to Antioch, and having brought the multitude together, did deliver the epistle,Select Acts 15:30

31and they having read, did rejoice for the consolation;Select Acts 15:31

32Judas also and Silas, being themselves also prophets, through much discourse did exhort the brethren, and confirm,Select Acts 15:32

33and having passed some time, they were let go with peace from the brethren unto the apostles;Select Acts 15:33

34and it seemed good to Silas to remain there still.Select Acts 15:34

35And Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming good news--with many others also--the word of the Lord;Select Acts 15:35

36and 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.'Select Acts 15:36

37And Barnabas counselled to take with them John called Mark,Select Acts 15:37

38and 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;Select Acts 15:38

39there came, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas having taken Mark, did sail to Cyprus,Select Acts 15:39

40and Paul having chosen Silas, went forth, having been given up to the grace of God by the brethren;Select Acts 15:40

41and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.Select Acts 15:41