| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot 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!" |
| 2Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to 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. |
| 3So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. | 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. |
| 4And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with 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 of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them 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!" |
| 6Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. | 6Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter. |
| 7And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word 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. |
| 8So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them 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. |
| 9and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. | 9He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. |
| 10Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? | 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? |
| 11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” | 11On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are." |
| 12Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked 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. |
| 13And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: | 13After they stopped speaking, James responded: "Brothers, listen to me! |
| 14Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. | 14Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name. |
| 15And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: | 15And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: |
| 16‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; | 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 mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all 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, |
| 18“Known to God from eternity are all His works. | 18known from long ago. |
| 19Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, | 19Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, |
| 20but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. | 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. |
| 21For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” | 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 it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. | 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 by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles 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. |
| 24Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment— | 24Because we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts, |
| 25it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, | 25we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, |
| 26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. | 26who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report 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, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: | 28For it was the Holy Spirit's decision--and ours--to put no greater burden on you than these necessary things: |
| 29that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. | 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 when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. | 30Then, being sent off, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. |
| 31When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. | 31When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. |
| 32Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. | 32Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and strengthened them with a long message. |
| 33And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles. | 33After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. |
| 34However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. | 34 |
| 35Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. | 35But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the message of the Lord. |
| 36Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are 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." |
| 37Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. | 37Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark. |
| 38But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to 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. |
| 39Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so 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. |
| 40but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. | 40Then Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers. |
| 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. | 41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. |
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