Acts 15
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The Dispute over Circumcision

(Genesis 17:9-27; Leviticus 12:1-8; Joshua 5:1-9)

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1Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."1But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”1Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."1And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.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!"
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.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.2And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.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.2But after Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, the church arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this controversy.
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.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.3Therefore, 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 were bringing great joy to all the brethren.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.3When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, explaining in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they created great joy among all the brothers.
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.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.4When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.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.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.

The Council at Jerusalem

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5Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses."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.”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 observe the Law of Moses."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.5But some of the believers from 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 elders met to consider this question.6The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.6The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.6Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter.
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.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.7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren, 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.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.7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: "Brothers, 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.
8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,8"And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;8And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.
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9He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.9and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.9and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.9He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing 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?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?10"Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?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?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?
11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."11But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”11"But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are."11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.11On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way 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.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.12All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.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.12Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13When they finished, James spoke up. "Brothers," he said, "listen to me.13After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.13After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, "Brethren, listen to me.13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:13After they stopped speaking, James responded: "Brothers, listen to me!
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14Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.14Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.14"Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.14Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.
15The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:15And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,15"With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,15And the words of the prophets agree 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,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,16'AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT,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:16After these things I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and set it up again,
17that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things' --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 things17SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,'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.17so the rest of humanity may seek the Lord-- even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, declares the Lord who does these things,
18things known from long ago.18known from of old.’18SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO.18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.18known from long ago.
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19"It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,19"Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles,19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:19Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn 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.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.20but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.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 the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."21For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”21"For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath."21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.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."

The Letter to the Gentile Believers

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22Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers.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,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 called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,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: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.
23With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.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.23and they sent this letter by them, "The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings.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:23They wrote this letter to be delivered by them: From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.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,24"Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls,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:24Because we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,
25So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul--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,25it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,25we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul,
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26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.26Men that have hazarded 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 are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.27"Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth.27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.27Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth.
28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:28"For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;28For it was the Holy Spirit's decision--and ours--to put no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
29You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.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.”29that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell."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.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.

The Believers at Antioch Rejoice

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30So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.30So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.30So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:30Then, being sent off, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter.
31The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.31And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.31Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.31When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
32Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.32And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.32Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message.32And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.32Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and strengthened them with a long message.
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.33And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.33After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out.33And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.33After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
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343434But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.34Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.34
35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.35But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord.35Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.35But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the message of the Lord.

Paul's Second Missionary Journey

(Acts 13:1-3; Acts 18:23-28)

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36Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing."36And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."36And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.36After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers in every town where we have preached the message of the Lord and see how they're doing."
37Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,37Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.37Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also.37And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.37Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark.
38but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.38But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.38But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.38But Paul did not think it appropriate to take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.
39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,39And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,39And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;39There was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus.
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40but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.40but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.40But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.40And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.40Then Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers.
41He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.41And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.



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