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The Acts of the Emissaries, Chapter 15
{15:1} Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers,
"Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be
saved." {15:2} 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 emissaries and elders
about this question. {15:3} 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
[1>]brothers.[<1] {15:4} When they had come to Jerusalem, they were
received by the assembly and the emissaries and the elders, and they
reported all things that God had done with them.
{15:5} But 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 Torah of Moses."
{15:6} The emissaries and the elders were gathered together to see
about this matter. {15:7} When there had been much discussion, Peter
rose up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that a good while ago
God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear
the word of the Good News, and believe. {15:8} God, who knows the
heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he
did to us. {15:9} He made no distinction between us and them,
cleansing their hearts by faith. {15:10} 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? {15:11} But we
believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Yeshua,[2]
just as they are."
{15:12} All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to
Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among
the nations through them. {15:13} After they were silent, Jacob
answered, "Brothers, listen to me. {15:14} Simeon has reported how God
first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.
{15:15} This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
{15:16} 'After these things I will return.
I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen.
I will again build its ruins.
I will set it up,
{15:17} 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.[3]
{15:18} All his works are known to God from eternity.'
{15:19} "Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from
among the Gentiles who turn to God, {15:20} but that we write to them
that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality,
from what is strangled, and from blood. {15:21} For Moses from
generations of old has in every city those who proclaim him, being
read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
{15:22} Then it seemed good to the emissaries and the elders, with
the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them
to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judah called Barsabbas, and Silas,
chief men among the [4>]brothers.[<4] {15:23} They wrote these things
by their hand:
"The emissaries, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who
are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. {15:24}
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 Torah,' to whom we gave no commandment; {15:25} 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, {15:26} men who have risked
their lives for the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. {15:27} We
have sent therefore Judah and Silas, who themselves will also tell you
the same things by word of mouth. {15:28} For it seemed good to the
Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these
necessary things: {15:29} 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."
{15:30} So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having
gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. {15:31}
When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. {15:32}
Judah and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the
brothers with many words, and strengthened them. {15:33} After they
had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the
brothers to the emissaries. {15:34} [5] {15:35} But Paul and Barnabas
stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord, with
many others also.
{15:36} 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." {15:37} Barnabas planned to take
Yochanan, who was called Mark, with them also. {15:38} 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. {15:39} Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated
from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to
Cyprus, {15:40} but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by
the brothers to the grace of God. {15:41} He went through Syria and
Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.
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Footnotes:
[1] {15:3} The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows
may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[2] {15:11} TR adds "Messiah"
[3] {15:17} Amos 9:11-12
[4] {15:22} The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows
may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[5] {15:34} Some manuscripts add: But it seemed good to Silas to stay
there.
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