King James Version

1 And some who came down from Judea were teaching the brothers that unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. 2 And after there was no small dispute and questioning by Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them should go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this matter. 3 Those who were sent out by the church passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the believers from the sect of the Pharisees rose up, saying that it is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses. 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose and said to them, "Men, brothers, you know that from ancient days God chose through my mouth for the Gentiles to hear the word of the gospel and to believe." 8 And the heart-knowing God testified to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us. 9 And He did not distinguish between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But through the Grace of the Lord Jesus, we believe we will be saved in the same way as they. 12 And the whole crowd fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul recounting all that God had done through them, signs and wonders among the nations. 13 And after they were silent, James answered, saying, "Men, brothers, listen to me." 14 Simeon explained how God first visited to take a people for His name from the nations. 15 And the statements of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written. 16 After this, I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David, and I will rebuild its ruins and restore it. 17 So that the remnant of the people may seek the Lord, and all the nations upon whom my name has been called, says the Lord, who does these things. 18 Known from eternity. 19 Therefore, I judge that we should not trouble those who are turning to God from the nations. 20 But to instruct them to abstain from the pollution of idols and from sexual immorality and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath in every city, since he has been preached from ancient generations. 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders with the whole church to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas who is called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 Having written by their own hand: The apostles and the elders, brothers to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings to those from the nations. 24 Since we have heard that some of us, having gone out, have disturbed you with words unsettling your souls, which we did not command, 25 It seemed good to us, having come together in unity, to send chosen men to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. 26 To men who have entrusted their souls for the sake of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will report the same things by word. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no greater burden than these necessary things. 29 To abstain from idol sacrifices and blood and strangled animals and sexual immorality; from which keeping yourselves, you will do well. Farewell. 30 Those who had been sent away went down to Antioch, and gathering the crowd, they delivered the letter. 31 And having read, they rejoiced in the exhortation. 32 Both Judas and Silas, being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were dismissed in peace from the brothers to those who had sent them. 34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord along with many others. 36 After some days, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are." 37 But Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark. 38 But Paul considered that he should not take with him the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there was a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul, having chosen Silas, went out, being commended to the Grace of the Lord by the brothers. 41 And he was passing through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.