15:1 Now some men came down from Judea1 and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised2 according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 15:2 When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate3 with them, the church4 appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to meet with5 the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this point of disagreement.6 15:3 So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia7 and Samaria they were relating at length8 the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy9 to all the brothers. 15:4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received10 by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported11 all the things God had done with them.12 15:5 But some from the religious party of the Pharisees13 who had believed stood up and said, “It is necessary14 to circumcise the Gentiles15 and to order them to observe16 the law of Moses.”
15:6 Both the apostles and the elders met together to deliberate17 about this matter. 15:7 After there had been much debate,18 Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago19 God chose20 that from my mouth the Gentiles should hear the message21 of the gospel22 and believe. 15:8 And God, who knows the heart,23 has testified24 to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,25 15:9 and he made no distinction26 between them and us, cleansing27 their hearts by faith. 15:10 So now why are you putting God to the test28 by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke29 that neither our ancestors30 nor we have been able to bear? 15:11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through31 the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they are.”32
15:12 The whole group kept quiet33 and listened to Barnabas and Paul while they explained34 all the miraculous signs35 and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 15:13 After they stopped speaking,36 James replied,37 “Brothers, listen to me. 15:14 Simeon38 has explained39 how God first concerned himself40 to select41 from among the Gentiles42 a people for his name. 15:15 The43 words of the prophets agree44 with this, as it is written,
15:19 “Therefore I conclude56 that we should not cause extra difficulty57 for those among the Gentiles58 who are turning to God, 15:20 but that we should write them a letter59 telling them to abstain60 from things defiled61 by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled62 and from blood. 15:21 For Moses has had those who proclaim him in every town from ancient times,63 because he is read aloud64 in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
15:22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided65 to send men chosen from among them, Judas called Barsabbas and Silas,66 leaders among the brothers, to Antioch67 with Paul and Barnabas. 15:23 They sent this letter with them:68
From the apostles69 and elders, your brothers,70 to the Gentile brothers and sisters71 in Antioch,72 Syria,73 and Cilicia, greetings! 15:24 Since we have heard that some have gone out from among us with no orders from us and have confused74 you, upsetting75 your minds76 by what they said,77 15:25 we have unanimously78 decided79 to choose men to send to you along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 15:26 who80 have risked their lives81 for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.82 15:27 Therefore we are sending83 Judas and Silas84 who will tell you these things themselves in person.85 15:28 For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us86 not to place any greater burden on you than these necessary rules:87 15:29 that you abstain from meat that has been sacrificed to idols88 and from blood and from what has been strangled89 and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from doing these things,90 you will do well. Farewell.91
15:30 So when they were dismissed,92 they went down to Antioch,93 and after gathering the entire group94 together, they delivered the letter. 15:31 When they read it aloud,95 the people96 rejoiced at its encouragement.97 15:32 Both Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a long speech.98 15:33 After99 they had spent some time there,100 they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.101 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch,102 teaching and proclaiming (along with many others)103 the word of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas Part Company15:36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return104 and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord to see how they are doing.”105 15:37 Barnabas wanted to bring John called Mark along with them too, 15:38 but Paul insisted106 that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia107 and had not accompanied them in the work. 15:39 They had108 a sharp disagreement,109 so that they parted company. Barnabas took along110 Mark and sailed away to Cyprus,111 15:40 but Paul chose Silas and set out, commended112 to the grace of the Lord by the brothers and sisters.113 15:41 He passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening114 the churches.
Paul and Silas Are Joined by Timothy16:1 He also came to Derbe1 and to Lystra.2 A disciple3 named Timothy was there, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,4 but whose father was a Greek.5 16:2 The brothers in Lystra6 and Iconium7 spoke well8 of him.9 16:3 Paul wanted Timothy10 to accompany him, and he took11 him and circumcised12 him because of the Jews who were in those places,13 for they all knew that his father was Greek.14 16:4 As they went through the towns,15 they passed on16 the decrees that had been decided on by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the Gentile believers17 to obey.18 16:5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number every day.19