Acts 15

1And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, `saying', Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.● 2And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, `the brethren' appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.● 3They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.● 4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.● 5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.● 6And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.● 7And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.● 8And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;● 9and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.● 10Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?● 11But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.● 12And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.● 13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:● 14Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.● 15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,● 16After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:● 17That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,● 18Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.● 19Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;● 20but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.● 21For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.● 22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; `namely', Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:● 23and they wrote `thus' by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:● 24Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;● 25it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,● 26men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.● 27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth.● 28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:● 29that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.● 30So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.● 31And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.● 32And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.● 33And after they had spent some time `there', they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth.● 34`But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.'● 35But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.● 36And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, `and see' how they fare.● 37And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.● 38But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.● 39And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus;● 40but Paul choose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.● 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.●