The Jerusalem Council

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."

1 (A)Some men came down from Judea and began teaching (B)the brethren, “Unless you are (C)circumcised according to (D)the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

1 Some men(A) came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised(B) according to the custom prescribed by Moses,(C) you cannot be saved!”

1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”(A)

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.

2 And when Paul and Barnabas had (a)great dissension and (E)debate with them, (F)the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the (G)apostles and elders concerning this issue.

2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

2 But after Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, the church arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this controversy.(D)

2 Paul and Barnabas disagreed greatly and debated with them, so it was determined that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others from their group would go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders [and confer with them] concerning this issue.

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.

3 Therefore, being (H)sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both (I)Phoenicia and Samaria, (J)describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all (K)the brethren.

3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

3 When they had been sent on their way by the church,(E) they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, explaining in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they created great joy among all the brothers.

3 So, after being supplied and sent on their way by the church, they went through both Phoenicia and Samaria telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the (a)believers.

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.

4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and (L)the apostles and the elders, and they (M)reported all that God had done with them.

4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.(F)

4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received warmly by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported to them all the things that God had accomplished through them.

5 But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The gentiles must be circumcised and ordered to keep the Law of Moses."

5 But some of (N)the sect of the (O)Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to (P)circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”

5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

5 But some of the believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses!”

5 But some from the sect of the Pharisees who had believed [in Jesus as the Messiah] stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise the Gentile converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”

6 So the apostles and the elders met to look into this claim.

6 (Q)The apostles and the elders came together to (b)look into this (c)matter.

6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

6 Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter.

6 The apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter.

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.

7 After there had been much (R)debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that (d)in the early days (S)God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of (T)the gospel and believe.

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you,(a) that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe.

7 After a long debate, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the message of the gospel and believe.

8 God, who knows everyone's heart, showed them he approved by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.

8 And God, (U)who knows the heart, testified to them (V)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving(b) the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.(G)

8 And God, who knows and understands the heart, testified to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

9 He made no distinction between them and us, because of their faith-cleansed hearts.

9 and (W)He made no distinction between us and them, (X)cleansing their hearts by faith.

9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

9 He made no distinction between us and them,(H) cleansing their hearts by faith.(I)

9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith [in Jesus].

10 So why do you test God by putting on the disciples' neck a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we could carry?

10 Now therefore why do you (Y)put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which (Z)neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks(J) that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?

10 Now then, why are you testing God by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to endure?

11 We certainly believe that it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, that we are saved, just as they are."

11 But we believe that we are saved through (AA)the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

11 On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace(K) of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”

11 But we believe that we are saved through the [precious, undeserved] grace of the Lord Jesus [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life], in just the same way as they are.”

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.

12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were (AB)relating what (AC)signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

12 Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.(L)

12 All the people remained silent, and they listened [attentively] to Barnabas and Paul as they described all the signs and wonders (attesting miracles) that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

13 After Paul and Barnabas had finished speaking, James responded, "Brothers, listen to me:

13 After they had stopped speaking, (e)(AD)James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

13 After they stopped speaking, James responded: “Brothers, listen to me!

13 When they had finished speaking, (b)James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.

14 Simeon has explained how God first showed his concern for the gentiles by taking from among them a people for his name.

14 (AE)Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.

14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

14 Simeon(c) has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.(M)

14 (c)Simeon (Simon Peter) has described how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name [to honor Him and be identified with Him].

15 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

15 With this the words of (AF)the Prophets agree, just as it is written,

15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

15 The words of the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written [in Scripture],

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 again

16 (AG)After these things (AH)I will return,And I will rebuild the (f)tabernacle of David which has fallen,And I will rebuild its ruins,And I will restore it,

16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

16 After these things I will returnand rebuild David’s fallen tent.I will rebuild its ruinsand set it up again,

16 After these things I will return,And I will rebuild the tent of David which has fallen;I will rebuild its ruins,And I will restore it,

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. "He is the one who has been doing these things

17 (AI)So that the rest of (g)mankind may seek the Lord,And all the Gentiles (h)(AJ)who are called by My name,’

17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

17 so the rest of humanitymay seek the Lord—even all the Gentileswho are called by My name,declares the Lord who does these things,

17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,And all the Gentiles upon whom My name has been invoked,’

18 that have been known from long ago.'

18 (AK)Says the Lord, who (i)(AL)makes these things known from long ago.

18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

18 known from long ago.(d)(N)(e)

18 Says the Lord,Who has been making these things known from long ago.(B)

19 "Therefore, I have decided that we should not trouble these gentiles who are turning to God.

19 Therefore it is (AM)my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles,

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

19 Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God,

19 Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble and make it difficult for those who are turning to God among the Gentiles [by putting obstacles in their way],

20 Instead, we should write to them to keep away from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from anything strangled, and from blood.

20 but that we write to them that they abstain from (j)(AN)things contaminated by idols and from (AO)fornication and from (AP)what is strangled and from blood.

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

20 but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality,(O) from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.

20 but that we write to them that they are to abstain from (d)anything that has been contaminated by [being offered to] idols and from sexual impurity and from [eating the meat of] what has been strangled and from [the consumption of] (e)blood.

21 After all, Moses has had people to proclaim him in every city for generations, and on every Sabbath his books are read aloud in the synagogues."

21 For (AQ)Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since (k)he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

21 For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues.”(P)

21 For from ancient generations [the writing of] Moses has been preached in every city, since (f)he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

The Letter From The Council

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.

22 Then it seemed good to (AR)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to (AS)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and (AT)Silas, leading men among (AU)the brethren,

22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

22 Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas,(Q) both leading men among the brothers.

22 Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, decided to select some of their men to go to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas [also called Silvanus, both], leading men among the brothers.

23 They wrote this letter for them to deliver: "From: The apostles and the elders, your brothers To: Their gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.

23 and they (l)sent this letter by them, (AV)The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to (AW)the brethren in (AX)Antioch and (AY)Syria and (AZ)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, (BA)greetings.

23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

23 They wrote this letter to be delivered by them:(f) From the apostles and the elders, your brothers,To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:(R)Greetings.

23 With them they sent the following letter: “The apostles and the brothers who are the elders, to the brothers and sisters who are from the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, Greetings.

24 Greetings. We have heard that some men, coming from us without instructions from us, have said things to trouble you and have unsettled you.

24 “Since we have heard that (BB)some (m)of our number to whom we gave no instruction have (BC)disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls,

24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

24 Because we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us(S) and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,(g)(T)

24 Since we have heard that some of our men have troubled you with their teachings, causing distress and confusion—men to whom we gave no such orders or instructions—

25 So we have unanimously decided to choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul,

25 (BD)it seemed good to us, having (n)become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

25 we have unanimously(U) decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul,

25 it has been decided by us, having met together, to select men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.

26 men who have (o)(BE)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

26 who have risked their lives(V) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth.

27 “Therefore we have sent (BF)Judas and (BG)Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth.

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth.(h)

27 So we have sent Judas and Silas, who will report by word of mouth the same things [that we decided in our meeting].

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

28 “For (BH)it seemed good to (BI)the Holy Spirit and to (BJ)us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

28 For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision—and ours—to put no greater burden on you than these necessary things:(W)

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any greater burden than these essentials:

29 to keep away from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you avoid these things, you will do well. Goodbye."

29 that you abstain from (BK)things sacrificed to idols and from (BL)blood and from (BM)things strangled and from (BN)fornication; (p)if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

29 that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.(X) You will do well if you keep yourselves from these things.Farewell.

29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from [consuming] blood, and from [eating the meat of] things that have been strangled, and from sexual impurity. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell.”

The Letter Is Delivered To Antioch

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

30 So when they were sent away, (BO)they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the (q)congregation together, they delivered the letter.

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

30 Then, being sent off, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter.

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and after assembling the congregation, they delivered the letter.

31 When the people read it, they were pleased with how the letter encouraged them.

31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its (r)encouragement.

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

31 When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.

31 And when they had read it, the people rejoiced greatly at the encouragement and comfort [it brought them].

32 Then Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said a lot to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

32 (BP)Judas and (BQ)Silas, also being (BR)prophets themselves, (s)encouraged and strengthened (BS)the brethren with a lengthy message.

32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

32 Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and strengthened them with a long message.(Y)

32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets (divinely inspired spokesmen), encouraged and strengthened the (g)believers with many words.

33 After staying there for some time, they were sent back with a greeting from the brothers to those who had sent them.

33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren (BT)in peace to those who had (BU)sent them out.

33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

33 After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace(Z) by the brothers to those who had sent them.(i)(j) But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the message of the Lord.(AA) After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers in every town(AB) where we have preached the message of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark.(k) But Paul did not think it appropriate to take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. There was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark(AC) with him and sailed off to Cyprus. Then Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers.(AD) He traveled through Syria(AE) and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

33 After spending some time there, they were sent back by the brothers with [the greeting of] peace to those who had sent them.

34 Both Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch to teach and proclaim the word of the Lord, as did many others.

34 [(t)But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.]

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

34 But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the message of the Lord.(AF)

34 (h)[However, Silas decided to stay there.]

Paul And Barnabas Disagree And Part Company

35 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."

35 But (BV)Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and (BW)preaching with many others also, (BX)the word of the Lord.

35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

35 After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers in every town(AG) where we have preached the message of the Lord and see how they’re doing.”

35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, and with many others also continued teaching and proclaiming the good news, the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ].

36 Barnabas wanted to take along John, who was called Mark,

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in (BY)every city in which we proclaimed (BZ)the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

36 Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark.(l)

36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers and sisters (believers) in every city where we preached the message of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”

37 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.

37 Barnabas wanted to take (CA)John, called Mark, along with them also.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

37 But Paul did not think it appropriate to take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.

37 Now Barnabas wanted to take [his cousin] John, who was called Mark, along with them.

38 The disagreement was so sharp that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus,

38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had (CB)deserted them (u)in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

38 There was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark(AH) with him and sailed off to Cyprus.

38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take along with them the one who had quit and deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.

39 while Paul chose Silas and left after the brothers had entrusted him to the grace of the Lord.

39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took (CC)Mark with him and sailed away to (CD)Cyprus.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

39 Then Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers.(AI)

39 And it became such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took [John] Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

40 He went through Syria and Cilicia and strengthened the churches.

40 But Paul chose (CE)Silas and left, being (CF)committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

40 He traveled through Syria(AJ) and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

40 But Paul chose Silas [who was again in Antioch] and set out [on his second journey], commended by the brothers to the grace and favor of the Lord.

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