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Acts 15 - New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

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The Council at Jerusalem

15 (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.” 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. 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. 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. 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.”

6 (Q)The apostles and the elders came together to [b]look into this [c]matter. 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. 8 And God, (U)who knows the heart, testified to them (V)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and (W)He made no distinction between us and them, (X)cleansing their hearts by faith. 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? 11 But we believe that we are saved through (AA)the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”

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.

James’s Judgment

13 After they had stopped speaking, [e](AD)James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 (AE)Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 With this the words of (AF)the Prophets agree, just as it is written,

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

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

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, 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.

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, 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, 26 men who have [o](BE)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 “Therefore we have sent (BF)Judas and (BG)Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 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: 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.”

30 So when they were sent away, (BO)they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the [q]congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its [r]encouragement. 32 (BP)Judas and (BQ)Silas, also being (BR)prophets themselves, [s]encouraged and strengthened (BS)the brethren with a lengthy message. 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. 34 [[t]But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.] 35 But (BV)Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and (BW)preaching with many others also, (BX)the word of the Lord.

Second Missionary Journey

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.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take (CA)John, called Mark, along with them also. 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. 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. 40 But Paul chose (CE)Silas and left, being (CF)committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through (CG)Syria and (CH)Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:2 Lit not a little
  2. Acts 15:6 Lit see about
  3. Acts 15:6 Lit word
  4. Acts 15:7 Lit from days of old
  5. Acts 15:13 Or Jacob
  6. Acts 15:16 Or tent
  7. Acts 15:17 Gr anthropoi
  8. Acts 15:17 Lit upon whom My name is called
  9. Acts 15:18 Or does these things which were known
  10. Acts 15:20 Lit the pollutions of
  11. Acts 15:21 I.e. the books of Moses, Gen through Deut
  12. Acts 15:23 Lit wrote by their hand
  13. Acts 15:24 Lit from us
  14. Acts 15:25 Or met together
  15. Acts 15:26 Lit given over
  16. Acts 15:29 Lit from which keeping yourselves free
  17. Acts 15:30 Or multitude
  18. Acts 15:31 Or exhortation
  19. Acts 15:32 Or exhorted
  20. Acts 15:34 Early mss do not contain this v
  21. Acts 15:38 Lit from

Cross references

  1. Acts 15:1 : Acts 15:24
  2. Acts 15:1 : Acts 1:15; 15:3, 22, 32
  3. Acts 15:1 : Lev 12:3; Acts 15:5; 1 Cor 7:18; Gal 2:11, 14; 5:2f
  4. Acts 15:1 : Acts 6:14
  5. Acts 15:2 : Acts 15:7
  6. Acts 15:2 : Gal 2:2
  7. Acts 15:2 : Acts 11:30; 15:4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4
  8. Acts 15:3 : Acts 20:38; 21:5; Rom 15:24; 1 Cor 16:6, 11; 2 Cor 1:16; Titus 3:13; 3 John 6
  9. Acts 15:3 : Acts 11:19
  10. Acts 15:3 : Acts 14:27; 15:4, 12
  11. Acts 15:3 : Acts 1:15; 15:22, 32
  12. Acts 15:4 : Acts 11:30; 15:6, 22, 23; 16:4
  13. Acts 15:4 : Acts 14:27; 15:12
  14. Acts 15:5 : Acts 5:17; 24:5, 14; 26:5; 28:22
  15. Acts 15:5 : Matt 3:7; Acts 26:5
  16. Acts 15:5 : 1 Cor 7:18; Gal 2:11, 14; 5:2f
  17. Acts 15:6 : Acts 11:30; 15:4, 22, 23; 16:4
  18. Acts 15:7 : Acts 15:2
  19. Acts 15:7 : Acts 10:19f
  20. Acts 15:7 : Acts 20:24
  21. Acts 15:8 : Acts 1:24
  22. Acts 15:8 : Acts 2:4; 10:44, 47
  23. Acts 15:9 : Acts 10:28, 34; 11:12
  24. Acts 15:9 : Acts 10:43
  25. Acts 15:10 : Acts 5:9
  26. Acts 15:10 : Matt 23:4; Gal 5:1
  27. Acts 15:11 : Rom 3:24; 5:15; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 2:5-8
  28. Acts 15:12 : Acts 14:27; 15:3, 4
  29. Acts 15:12 : John 4:48
  30. Acts 15:13 : Acts 12:17
  31. Acts 15:14 : Acts 15:7; 2 Pet 1:1
  32. Acts 15:15 : Acts 13:40
  33. Acts 15:16 : Amos 9:11
  34. Acts 15:16 : Jer 12:15
  35. Acts 15:17 : Amos 9:12
  36. Acts 15:17 : Deut 28:10; Is 63:19; Jer 14:9; Dan 9:19; James 2:7
  37. Acts 15:18 : Amos 9:12
  38. Acts 15:18 : Is 45:21
  39. Acts 15:19 : Acts 15:28; 21:25
  40. Acts 15:20 : Ex 34:15-17; Dan 1:8; Acts 15:29; 1 Cor 8:7, 13; 10:7f, 14-28; Rev 2:14, 20
  41. Acts 15:20 : Lev 18:6-23
  42. Acts 15:20 : Gen 9:4; Lev 3:17; 7:26; 17:10, 14; 19:26; Deut 12:16, 23; 15:23; 1 Sam 14:33
  43. Acts 15:21 : Acts 13:15; 2 Cor 3:14f
  44. Acts 15:22 : Acts 15:2
  45. Acts 15:22 : Acts 11:20
  46. Acts 15:22 : Acts 15:27, 32, 40; 16:19, 25, 29; 17:4, 10, 14f; 18:5; 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1; 1 Pet 5:12
  47. Acts 15:22 : Acts 15:1
  48. Acts 15:23 : Acts 15:2
  49. Acts 15:23 : Acts 15:1
  50. Acts 15:23 : Acts 11:20
  51. Acts 15:23 : Matt 4:24; Acts 15:41; Gal 1:21
  52. Acts 15:23 : Acts 6:9
  53. Acts 15:23 : Acts 23:26; James 1:1; 2 John 10f
  54. Acts 15:24 : Acts 15:1
  55. Acts 15:24 : Gal 1:7; 5:10
  56. Acts 15:25 : Acts 15:28
  57. Acts 15:26 : Acts 9:23ff; 14:19
  58. Acts 15:27 : Acts 15:22, 32
  59. Acts 15:27 : Acts 15:22
  60. Acts 15:28 : Acts 15:25
  61. Acts 15:28 : Acts 5:32; 15:8
  62. Acts 15:28 : Acts 15:19, 25
  63. Acts 15:29 : Acts 15:20
  64. Acts 15:29 : Acts 15:20
  65. Acts 15:29 : Acts 15:20
  66. Acts 15:29 : Acts 15:20
  67. Acts 15:30 : Acts 15:22f
  68. Acts 15:32 : Acts 15:22, 27
  69. Acts 15:32 : Acts 15:22
  70. Acts 15:32 : Acts 13:1
  71. Acts 15:32 : Acts 15:1
  72. Acts 15:33 : Mark 5:34; Acts 16:36; 1 Cor 16:11; Heb 11:31
  73. Acts 15:33 : Acts 15:22
  74. Acts 15:35 : Acts 12:25
  75. Acts 15:35 : Acts 8:4
  76. Acts 15:35 : Acts 13:12
  77. Acts 15:36 : Acts 13:4, 13, 14, 51; 14:6, 24f
  78. Acts 15:36 : Acts 13:12
  79. Acts 15:37 : Acts 12:12
  80. Acts 15:38 : Acts 13:13
  81. Acts 15:39 : Acts 12:12; 15:37; Col 4:10
  82. Acts 15:39 : Acts 4:36
  83. Acts 15:40 : Acts 15:22
  84. Acts 15:40 : Acts 11:23; 14:26
  85. Acts 15:41 : Matt 4:24; Acts 15:23
  86. Acts 15:41 : Acts 6:9

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Acts 15 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

15 And some men came down from Judaea, and taught brethren, That but ye be circumcised after the law of Moses, ye be not able to be made safe [ye be not able to be saved]. 2 Therefore when there was made not a little dissension to Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordained, that Paul and Barnabas...
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Acts 15 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

15 Some men came from Judea and taught the Christian brothers. They said, `You must be circumcised with the mark made on your body in the way Moses taught us. If you are not circumcised you cannot be saved.' 2 Paul and Barnabas did not agree with them. There was much talking about it. Then they deci...
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Acts 15 - World English Bible (WEB)

15 Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers,[a] “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...
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Acts 15 - The Voice (VOICE)

15 Their peace was disturbed, however, when certain Judeans came with this teaching: “Unless you are circumcised according to Mosaic custom, you cannot be saved.” 2 Paul and Barnabas argued against this teaching and debated with the Judeans vehemently, so the church selected several people—includin...
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Acts 15 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Jerusalem Council Rules on Circumcision15 Now some men coming down from Judea were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 When Paul and Barnabas had a big argument and debate with them, the brothers appointed Paul and Barnabas wi...
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Acts 15 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Council at Jerusalem15 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were a...
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Acts 15 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Council at Jerusalem15 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were a...
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Acts 15 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

15 Then some from Judea came down and taught the brothers, saying, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when there was great dissension and disputation by Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordained that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of ...
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Acts 15 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Is Circumcision Necessary?15 Some people came from Judaea to Antioch and, on arrival, began to teach the Christians that they could not be saved unless they were circumcised according to the custom of Moses. 2 This caused considerable uproar and dispute between them and Paul and Barnabas, and the c...
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Acts 15 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

The Council at Jerusalem15 Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the ...
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Acts 15 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Council at Jerusalem15 Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the ...
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Acts 15 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Council at Jerusalem15 Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”(A)2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the...
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Acts 15 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

Disagreement about circumcision. The apostles bring peace to the matter at Jerusalem, and Paul and Barnabas preach at Antioch. 15 Then certain men came from Judea and taught the brethren, Unless you are circumcised as observed by Moses, you cannot be saved. 2 And when dissension arose, and Paul and...
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Acts 15 - New Living Translation (NLT)

The Council at Jerusalem15 While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers[a]: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the c...
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Acts 15 - New Life Version (NLV)

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Acts 15 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Conflict over Circumcision15 And (A)certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, (B)“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that (C)Paul and Ba...
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