1 A nd 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;'

But 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 t here 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,

And 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 t hey 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.

So, 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 A nd 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;

When 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 a nd 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.'

But 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 A nd there were gathered together the apostles and the elders, to see about this matter,

The apostles and the elders were assembled together to look into and consider this matter.

7 a nd 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;

And 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 the heart-knowing God did bare them testimony, having given to them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us,

And 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 did put no difference also between us and them, by the faith having purified their hearts;

And 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, 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?

Now 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, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, even as also they.'

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

12 A nd 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;

Then 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 a nd after they are silent, James answered, saying, `Men, brethren, hearken to me;

When they had finished talking, James replied, Brethren, listen to me.

14 S imeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,

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

15 a nd to this agree the words of the prophets, as it hath been written:

And with this the predictions of the prophets agree, as it is written,

16 A fter 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 --

After 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 t hat 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.

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

18 ` Known from the ages to God are all His works;

Says the Lord, Who has been making these things known from the beginning of the world.

19 w herefore I judge: not to trouble those who from the nations do turn back to God,

Therefore 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 to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;

But 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 Moses from former generations in every city hath those preaching him -- in the synagogues every sabbath being read.'

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

22 T hen 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 --

Then 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 h aving written through their hand thus: `The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to those in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren, who of the nations, greeting;

With 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 s eeing 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,

As 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 seemed good to us, having come together with one accord, chosen men to send unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul --

It 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 given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ --

Men who have hazarded their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 w e have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they by word are telling the same things.

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

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

For 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 o abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well; be strong!'

That 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 T hey then, indeed, having been let go, went to Antioch, and having brought the multitude together, did deliver the epistle,

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

31 a nd they having read, did rejoice for the consolation;

And when they read it, the people rejoiced at the consolation and encouragement.

32 J udas also and Silas, being themselves also prophets, through much discourse did exhort the brethren, and confirm,

And 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 having passed some time, they were let go with peace from the brethren unto the apostles;

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

34 a nd it seemed good to Silas to remain there still.

However, Silas decided to stay on there.

35 A nd Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming good news -- with many others also -- the word of the Lord;

But 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 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.'

And 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 A nd Barnabas counseled to take with John called Mark,

Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.

38 a nd 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;

But 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 t here came, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas having taken Mark, did sail to Cyprus,

And 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 a nd Paul having chosen Silas, went forth, having been given up to the grace of God by the brethren;

But 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 went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.

And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, establishing and strengthening the churches.