Acts 15

1 Then some men came down from Judea and started to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Law of Moses, you can’t be saved.”ISV — Acts 15:1

2 Paul and Barnabas had quite a dispute and argument with them. So Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to confer with the apostles and elders about this question.ISV — Acts 15:2

3 They were sent on their way by the church, and as they were going through Phoenicia and Samaria they told of the conversion of the gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers.ISV — Acts 15:3

4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done through them.ISV — Acts 15:4

5 But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The gentiles ^{a15:5 Lit. They} must be circumcised and ordered to keep the Law of Moses.”ISV — Acts 15:5

6 So the apostles and the elders met to look into this claim.ISV — Acts 15:6

7 After a lengthy debate, Peter stood up and told them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days, God chose me to be the one among you through whom the gentiles would hear the message of the gospel and believe.ISV — Acts 15:7

8 God, who knows everyone’s heart, showed them he approved by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.ISV — Acts 15:8

9 He made no distinction between them and us, because of their faith-cleansed hearts.ISV — Acts 15:9

10 So why do you test God by putting on the disciples’ neck a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we could carry?ISV — Acts 15:10

11 We certainly believe that it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, ^{b15:11 Or Christ} that we are saved, just as they are.”ISV — Acts 15:11

12 The whole crowd was silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the gentiles.ISV — Acts 15:12

13 After Paul and Barnabas ^{c15:13 Lit. After they} had finished speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me:ISV — Acts 15:13

14 Simeon ^{d15:14 i.e. Simon Peter} has explained how God first showed his concern for the gentiles by taking from among them a people for his name.ISV — Acts 15:14

15 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,ISV — Acts 15:15

16 ‘“After this, I will come back and set up David’s fallen tent again. I will restore its ruined places and set it up againISV — Acts 15:16

17 so that the rest of the people may search for the Lord, including all the gentiles who are called by my name,’ declares the Lord. ^{e15:17 MT citation source reads LORD} ‘He is the one who has been doing these thingsISV — Acts 15:17

18 that have been known from long ago.’ ^{f15:18 Cf. Amos 9:11-12; Isa 45:21}ISV — Acts 15:18

19 “Therefore, I have decided that we should not trouble these gentiles who are turning to God.ISV — Acts 15:19

20 Instead, we should write to them to keep away from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from anything strangled, ^{g15:20 Other mss. lack from anything strangled} and from blood. ^{h15:20 i.e. uncooked meat} 21ISV — Acts 15:20

21 After all, Moses has had people to proclaim him in every city for generations, and on every Sabbath his books are ^{i15:21 Lit. Sabbath he is} read aloud in the synagogues.”ISV — Acts 15:21

22 Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. These were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers.ISV — Acts 15:22

23 They wrote this letter for them to deliver: ^{j15:23 Lit. They wrote through their hand} “From: ^{k15:23 The Gk. lacks From} The apostles and the elders, your brothers To: Their gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings.ISV — Acts 15:23

24 We have heard that some men, coming from us without instructions from us, have said things to trouble you and have unsettled you. ^{l15:24 Other mss. read you by saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law.’}ISV — Acts 15:24

25 So we have unanimously decided to choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul,ISV — Acts 15:25

26 who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. ^{m15:26 Or Christ}ISV — Acts 15:26

27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth.ISV — Acts 15:27

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any burden but these essential requirements:ISV — Acts 15:28

29 to keep away from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, ^{n15:29 i.e. uncooked meat} from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you avoid these things, you will do well. Goodbye.”ISV — Acts 15:29

30 So the men were sent on their way and arrived in Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter.ISV — Acts 15:30

31 When the people ^{o15:31 Lit. they} read it, they were pleased with how the letter encouraged them.ISV — Acts 15:31

32 Then Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said a lot to encourage and strengthen the brothers.ISV — Acts 15:32

33 After staying there for some time, they were sent back with a greeting ^{p15:33 Lit. sent back with peace} from the brothers to those who had sent them. ^{q15:33 Other mss. read sent them. But it seemed good to Silas to remain there, and Judas went back alone.}ISV — Acts 15:33

34 ISV — Acts 15:34

35 Both Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch to teach and proclaim the word of the Lord, as did many others.ISV — Acts 15:35

36 A few days later, Paul told Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.”ISV — Acts 15:36

37 Barnabas wanted to take along John, who was called Mark,ISV — Acts 15:37

38 but Paul did not think it was right to take along the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and who had not gone with them into the work.ISV — Acts 15:38

39 The disagreement was so sharp that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus,ISV — Acts 15:39

40 while Paul chose Silas and left after the brothers had entrusted him to the grace of the Lord. ^{r15:40 Other mss. read of God}ISV — Acts 15:40

41 He went through Syria and Cilicia and strengthened the churches.ISV — Acts 15:41