| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Then 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." | 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!" |
| 2Paul 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. | 2But 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. |
| 3They 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. | 3When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, explaining in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they created great joy among all the brothers. |
| 4When 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. | 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. |
| 5But 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." | 5But 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!" |
| 6So the apostles and the elders met to look into this claim. | 6Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter. |
| 7After 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. | 7After 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, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. |
| 8God, who knows everyone's heart, showed them he approved by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. | 8And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us. |
| 9He made no distinction between them and us, because of their faith-cleansed hearts. | 9He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. |
| 10So why do you test God by putting on the disciples' neck a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we could carry? | 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? |
| 11We certainly believe that it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, that we are saved, just as they are." | 11On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are." |
| 12The 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. | 12Then 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. |
| 13After Paul and Barnabas had finished speaking, James responded, "Brothers, listen to me: | 13After they stopped speaking, James responded: "Brothers, listen to me! |
| 14Simeon has explained how God first showed his concern for the gentiles by taking from among them a people for his name. | 14Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name. |
| 15This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written, | 15And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: |
| 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 | 16After these things I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and set it up again, |
| 17so 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 | 17so the rest of humanity may seek the Lord-- even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, declares the Lord who does these things, |
| 18that have been known from long ago.' | 18known from long ago. |
| 19"Therefore, I have decided that we should not trouble these gentiles who are turning to God. | 19Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, |
| 20Instead, we should write to them to keep away from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from anything strangled, and from blood. 21 | 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. |
| 21After 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." | 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." |
| 22Then 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. | 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. |
| 23They wrote this letter for them to deliver: "From: The apostles and the elders, your brothers To: Their gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings. | 23They wrote this letter to be delivered by them: From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. |
| 24We have heard that some men, coming from us without instructions from us, have said things to trouble you and have unsettled you. | 24Because we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts, |
| 25So we have unanimously decided to choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul, | 25we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, |
| 26who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. | 26who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth. | 27Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth. |
| 28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any burden but these essential requirements: | 28For it was the Holy Spirit's decision--and ours--to put no greater burden on you than these necessary things: |
| 29to 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." | 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. |
| 30So the men were sent on their way and arrived in Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter. | 30Then, being sent off, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. |
| 31When the people read it, they were pleased with how the letter encouraged them. | 31When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. |
| 32Then Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said a lot to encourage and strengthen the brothers. | 32Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and strengthened them with a long message. |
| 33After staying there for some time, they were sent back with a greeting from the brothers to those who had sent them. | 33After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. |
| 35Both Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch to teach and proclaim the word of the Lord, as did many others. | 35But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the message of the Lord. |
| 36A 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." | 36After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers in every town where we have preached the message of the Lord and see how they're doing." |
| 37Barnabas wanted to take along John, who was called Mark, | 37Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark. |
| 38but 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. | 38But 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. |
| 39The disagreement was so sharp that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, | 39There was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. |
| 40while Paul chose Silas and left after the brothers had entrusted him to the grace of the Lord. | 40Then Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers. |
| 41He went through Syria and Cilicia and strengthened the churches. | 41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. |
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