1 B ut some men came down from Judea and were instructing the brethren, Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the Mosaic custom, you cannot be saved.

2 A nd when Paul and Barnabas had no small disagreement and discussion with them, it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others of their number should go up to Jerusalem with the apostles (special messengers) and the elders about this matter.

3 S o, being fitted out and sent on their way by the church, they went through both Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles (the heathen), and they caused great rejoicing among all the brethren.

4 W hen they arrived in Jerusalem, they were heartily welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they told them all that God had accomplished through them.

5 B ut some who believed '> acknowledged Jesus as their Savior and devoted themselves to Him] belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, and they rose up and said, It is necessary to circumcise and to charge them to obey the Law of Moses.

6 T he apostles and the elders were assembled together to look into and consider this matter.

7 A nd after there had been a long debate, Peter got up and said to them, Brethren, you know that quite a while ago God made a choice or selection from among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the message of the Gospel '> attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God] and believe (credit and place their confidence in it).

8 A nd God, Who is acquainted with and understands the heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit as He also did to us;

9 A nd He made no difference between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith ( by a strong and welcome conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God).

10 N ow then, why do you try to test God by putting a yoke on the necks of the disciples, such as neither our forefathers nor we were able to endure?

11 B ut we believe that we are saved through the grace (the undeserved favor and mercy) of the Lord Jesus, just as they.

12 T hen the whole assembly remained silent, and they listened as Barnabas and Paul rehearsed what signs and wonders God had performed through them among the Gentiles.

13 W hen they had finished talking, James replied, Brethren, listen to me.

14 S imeon has rehearsed how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people His name.

15 A nd with this the predictions of the prophets agree, as it is written,

16 A fter this I will come back, and will rebuild the house of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up again,

17 S o that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name has been invoked,

18 S ays the Lord, Who has been making these things known from the beginning of the world.

19 T herefore it is my opinion that we should not put obstacles in the way of and annoy and disturb those of the Gentiles who turn to God,

20 B ut we should send word to them in writing to abstain from and avoid anything that has been polluted by being offered to idols, and all sexual impurity, and that have been strangled, and blood.

21 F or from ancient generations Moses has had his preachers in every town, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.

22 T hen the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, resolved to select men from among their number and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, and sent them.

23 W ith the following letter: The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings:

24 A s we have heard that some persons from our number have disturbed you with their teaching, unsettling your minds and throwing you into confusion, although we gave them no express orders or instructions,

25 I t has been resolved by us in assembly to select men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 M en who have hazarded their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 S o we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will bring you the same message by word of mouth.

28 F or it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to lay upon you any greater burden than these indispensable requirements:

29 T hat you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from that have been strangled and from sexual impurity. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell!

30 S o when were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and having assembled the congregation, they delivered the letter.

31 A nd when they read it, the people rejoiced at the consolation and encouragement.

32 A nd Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God), urged and warned and consoled and encouraged the brethren with many words and strengthened them.

33 A nd after spending some time there, they were sent back by the brethren with peace to those who had sent them.

34 H owever, Silas decided to stay on there.

35 B ut Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch and with many others also continued teaching and proclaiming the good news, the Word of the Lord '> attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in God’s kingdom].

36 A nd after some time Paul said to Barnabas, Come, let us go back and again visit and help and minister to the brethren in every town where we made known the message of the Lord, and see how they are getting along.

37 N ow Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.

38 B ut Paul did not think it best to have along with them the one who had quit and deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.

39 A nd there followed a sharp disagreement between them, so that they separated from each other, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

40 B ut Paul selected Silas and set out, being commended by the brethren to the grace (the favor and mercy) of the Lord.

41 A nd he passed through Syria and Cilicia, establishing and strengthening the churches.