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." 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. 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 brothers. 4 When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the emissaries and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done with them.

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."

6 The emissaries and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. 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. 8 God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 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? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Yeshua, just as they are."

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. 13 After they were silent, Jacob answered, "Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

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 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.’

18 "All of God’s works are known to him from eternity. 19 Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, 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. 21 For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who proclaim him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."

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 brothers. 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. 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; 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, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 27 We have sent therefore Judah and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 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."

30 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. 32 Judah and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them. 33 After they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brothers to the emissaries. 34 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord, with many others also.

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." 37 Barnabas planned to take Yochanan, who was called Mark, with them also. 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. 39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.

1 In the meantime, some, who came down from Judea, taught the brethren, Except you be circumcised, according to the manner of Moses, you can not be saved.2 There being, therefore, a contention, and no small debate with them, on the part of Paul and Barnabas; they resolved that Paul and Barnabas, and some others of their number, should go up to the Apostles and elders at Jerusalem, about this question.3 They, therefore, being brought forward on their journey, by the congregation, went through Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles; and they occasioned great joy to all the brethren.4 And being arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the congregation, and by the Apostles and elders: and they related what things God had done with them.5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees that believed, rose up and said, that it was necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.6 And the Apostles and elders were gathered together to consult upon this affair.7 And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, you know that, some considerable time since, God among us, chose, that the Gentiles, by my mouth, should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did to us:9 and made no distinction between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith.10 Now, therefore, why do you tempt God by imposing on the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?11 But we believe that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as they.12 And the whole multitude kept silence, and attended to Barnabas and Paul; relating what signs and wonders God had done among the heathen, by them.13 Then after they had done speaking, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me.14 Simeon has been relating how God first looked down on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name.15 And the words of the prophets harmonize with this; as it is written,16 «After this, I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; yes, I will rebuild its ruins, and set it upright again:»17 that the remainder of men may seek the Lord, even all the heathen upon whom my name is called,18 «says the Lord,» 'who does all these things, known to him from the beginning.'19 Wherefore, my judgment is not to disquiet those who, from among the Gentiles, are converted to God;20 but to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from that which is strangled, and from blood.21 For Moses has, from ancient generations, those who preach him, in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.22 Then it seemed good to the Apostles and elders, and all the congregation, to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, chosen men from among themselves, namely, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, men of principal account among the brethren;23 writing by their hands these things: The Apostles, and elders, and brethren, to the brethren from among the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, greeting:24 Forasmuch as we have been informed that, some going out from among us, to whom we gave no commission, have troubled you with discourses, unsettling your minds, saying, that you must be circumcised, and keep the law:25 we, being unanimously assembled, have thought proper to send you chosen men, with out beloved Barnabas and Paul;26 men that have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27 We have, therefore, sent Judas and Silas, who will also tell you by word of mouth, the same things.28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to impose no further burden upon you besides these necessary things;29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from anything strangled, and from fornication: from which you will do well to keep yourselves. Farewell.30 They, therefore, being dismissed, came to Antioch; and assembling the multitude, delivered the epistle.31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation it brought.32 And Judas and Silas, being also prophets themselves; in a copious discourse, exhorted and strengthened the brethren.33 And, having made some stay, they were dismissed with peace from the brethren to the Apostles.34 But Silas thought proper to continue there.35 Paul also, and Barnabas, with many others, continued at Antioch; teaching and declaring the good word of the Lord.36 And, after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return and visit the brethren in all the cities in which we have published the word of the Lord; and see how they do.37 And Barnabas determined to take along with them John, surnamed Mark.38 But Peter did not think proper to take with them that person who had withdrawn himself from them from Pamphylia; and went not with them to the work.39 There was, therefore, a sharp fit of anger, so that they separated from each other; and Barnabas, taking Mark along with him, sailed to Cyprus.40 But Paul made choice of Silas, and departed; being commended to the grace of God, by the brethren.41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia confirming the congregations;