| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved." |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2After Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4When 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. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5But some of the believers who belonged to 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." |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: "Brothers and sisters, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples' necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are." |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13After they stopped speaking, James responded: "Brothers and sisters, listen to me. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16After these things I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and set it up again, |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17so the rest of humanity may seek the Lord--even all the Gentiles who are called by my name--declares the Lord who makes these things |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18known from long ago. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues." |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22Then 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, both leading men among the brothers. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23They wrote: "From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers and sisters among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts, |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28For it was the Holy Spirit's decision--and ours--not to place further burdens on you beyond these requirements: |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. You will do well if you keep yourselves from these things. Farewell." |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message. |
| 33[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 33After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them. |
| 34[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 34 |
| 35[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 35But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord. |
| 36[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 36After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they're doing." |
| 37[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 37Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark. |
| 38[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 38But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. |
| 39[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. |
| 40[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 40But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord. |
| 41[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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