Acts 15:12-24 in English

¹² And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.

¹³ And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:

¹⁴ Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

¹⁶ After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:

¹⁷ That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,

¹⁸ Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.

¹⁹ Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;

²⁰ but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

²³ and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:

²⁴ Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;

¹² Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

¹³ And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

¹⁴ Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

¹⁶ After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

¹⁷ That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

¹⁸ Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

¹⁹ Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

²⁰ But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

²² Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

²³ And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

²⁴ Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

¹² And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

¹³ And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:

¹⁴ Symeon hath rehearsed how first God did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

¹⁶ After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:

¹⁷ That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,

¹⁸ Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from the beginning of the world.

¹⁹ Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles turn to God;

²⁰ but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

²³ and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elder brethren unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:

²⁴ Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;

¹² All the people there became silent after Peter had spoken. Then they all listened to Barnabas and Paul, as the two of them told about the many great miracles that God had enabled them to do among the non-Jewish people, miracles that showed that God had accepted the non-Jews.

¹³ When Barnabas and Paul had finished speaking, James, the leader of the group of believers there in Jerusalem, spoke to all of them. He said, “Fellow believers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simon Peter has told you how God previously blessed the non-Jews. God did that by choosing from among them a people who would belong to him MTY.

¹⁵ These words that God spoke, words that were written by one of the prophets {that one of the prophets wrote} long ago, agree with that:

¹⁶ Later on I will return and I will re-establish the kingdom MET that David ruled and that has been {that people have} destroyed. My doing that will be like rebuilding a house that has been {that people have} torn down.

¹⁷ I will do that in order that all other people might seek me, the Lord God. I will do that in order that all the non-Jews whom I have called to belong to me MTY might seek me. You can be certain that this will happen because I the Lord God, who will do those things, have spoken these words.

¹⁸ I caused my people to know about them long ago.”

¹⁹ James continued by saying, “Therefore I have decided that we(inc) should stop bothering the non-Jewish people who are turning away from their sins and turning to God. That is, we should stop demanding that they obey all our laws and rituals.

²⁰ Instead, we should write a letter to them requiring only four things: They should not eat meat/food that people have offered to idols, they should not have sex with someone to whom they are not married, they should not eat meat from animals that have been killed by being strangled { people have strangled}, and they should not eat the blood of animals.

²¹ In many cities, for a very long time people have been proclaiming the laws that Moses wrote MTY, laws prohibiting those things. And every ◄Sabbath/Jewish day of rest► those laws are read {someone reads those laws} in the Jewish meeting places. So if the non-Jews want to know more about those laws, they can find out in our meeting houses.”

²² The apostles and the other elders, along with all the other members of the congregation, accepted what James had said. Then they decided that they should choose men from among themselves and that they should send them, along with Paul and Barnabas, to Antioch, to let the believers there know what the leaders at Jerusalem had decided. So they chose Judas, who was also called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the believers at Jerusalem.

²³ Then they wrote the following letter that they asked Judas and Silas to take to the believers at Antioch: “ We(exc) apostles and other leaders who are your fellow believers send our greetings to you as we write this to you non-Jewish believers who live in Antioch and other places in Syria and Cilicia provinces.

²⁴ People have told us that some men from among us went to you, although we had not told them to do that. They troubled/distressed you SYN by telling you things that confused your thinking.

¹² All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.

¹³ After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up

¹⁷ that the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’

¹⁸ “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.

¹⁹ Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

²⁰ but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.

²³ They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

²⁴ Because 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 commandment;

¹² All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.

¹³ After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up

¹⁷ that the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’

¹⁸ “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.

¹⁹ Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

²⁰ but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.

²³ They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

²⁴ Because 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 commandment;

¹² All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done amongst the nations through them.

¹³ After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up

¹⁷ that the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’

¹⁸ “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.

¹⁹ Therefore my judgement is that we don’t trouble those from amongst the Gentiles who turn to God,

²⁰ but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men amongst the brothers.

²³ They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

²⁴ Because 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 commandment;

¹² And all the people were quiet while Barnabas and Paul gave an account of the signs and wonders which God had done among the Gentiles by them.

¹³ And when they had come to an end, James, answering, said, My brothers, give ear to me:

¹⁴ Symeon has given an account of how God was first pleased to take from among the Gentiles a people for himself.

¹⁵ And this is in agreement with the words of the prophets, as it is said,

¹⁶ After these things I will come back, and will put up the tent of David which has been broken down, building up again its broken parts and making it complete:

¹⁷ So that the rest of men may make search for the Lord, and all the Gentiles on whom my name is named,

¹⁸ Says the Lord, who has made these things clear from the earliest times.

¹⁹ For this reason my decision is, that we do not put trouble in the way of those who from among the Gentiles are turned to God;

²⁰ But that we give them orders to keep themselves from things offered to false gods, and from the evil desires of the body, and from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the law, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses, from times long past, has his preachers in every town, reading his law in the Synagogues every Sabbath.

²² Then it seemed good to the Apostles and the rulers and all the church, to send men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas, named Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers:

²³ And they sent a letter by them, saying, The Apostles and the older brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, may joy be with you:

²⁴ Because we have knowledge that some who went from us have been troubling you with their words, putting your souls in doubt; to whom we gave no such order;

¹² And all the multitude kept silence and listened to Barnabas and Paul relating all the signs and wonders which God had wrought among the nations by them.

¹³ And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, listen to me:

¹⁴ Simon has related how God first visited to take out of the nations a people for his name.

¹⁵ And with this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written:

¹⁶ After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which is fallen, and will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up,

¹⁷ so that the residue of men may seek out the Lord, and all the nations on whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who does these things

¹⁸ known from eternity.

¹⁹ Wherefore I judge, not to trouble those who from the nations turn to God;

²⁰ but to write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses, from generations of old, has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and to the elders, with the whole assembly, to send chosen men from among them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, Judas called Barsabas and Silas, leading men among the brethren,

²³ having by their hand written thus: The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from among the nations at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting:

²⁴ Inasmuch as we have heard that some who went out from amongst us have troubled you by words, upsetting your souls, saying that ye must be circumcised and keep the law; to whom we gave no commandment;

¹² And all the multitude held their peace; and they heard Barnabas and Paul telling what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

¹³ And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me.

¹⁴ Simon hath related how God first visited to take of the Gentiles a people to his name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written:

¹⁶ After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and the ruins thereof I will rebuild, and I will set it up:

¹⁷ That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all nations upon whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who doth these things.

¹⁸ To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the world.

¹⁹ For which cause I judge that they, who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted.

²⁰ But that we write unto them, that they refrain themselves from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.

²² Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.

²³ Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting.

²⁴ Forasmuch as we have heard, that some going out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment:

¹² Then all the multitude stopped speaking and listened to Barnabas and Paul telling as many signs and wonders as God had done among the Gentiles through them.

¹³ Now after they had finished speaking, James answered, saying, “Men and brothers, listen to me:

¹⁴ Simeon has related how God first visited them to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.

¹⁵ And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

¹⁶ ‘After this I will return, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen; and its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,

¹⁷ in order that the rest of men may seek out the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things.’

¹⁸ “Known from everlasting to God are all His works.

¹⁹ Therefore I judge that we must not cause trouble for those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles;

²⁰ but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses has had from ancient generations those who proclaim him in each city, being read in the synagogues from one Sabbath to another.”

²² Then it seemed best to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send men being chosen from them to Antioch, together with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.

²³ Writing by their hand these things: The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia who are of the Gentiles: Greetings.

²⁴ Inasmuch as we have heard that some went out from among us and troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “that you must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such command—

¹² Then the whole assembly kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the ethnic nations through them.

¹³ Now when they finished, James reacted saying: “Men, brothers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simeon has described how God first intervened to extract from the Gentiles a people for His name.

¹⁵ And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return, and I will rebuild David's tent, the fallen one; yes, I will rebuild its ruins and restore it;

¹⁷ so that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles—the ones, that is, upon whom my name has been called—says the Lord who does all these things.’

¹⁸ All His works are known to God from eternity.

¹⁹ Therefore I judge that we should not create difficulty for those who are turning to God from among the ethnic nations,

²⁰ but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For from ancient generations Moses has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then it pleased the apostles and the elders, with the whole congregation, to send chosen men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas (the one called Barsabas) and Silas, leading men among the brothers.

²³ They wrote by their hand the following: “The apostles and the elders and the brothers, to the Gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.

²⁴ Since we have heard that some who went out from among us have disturbed you with words, unsettling your souls, saying that you must be circumcised and keep the Law—to whom we gave no such authorization—

¹² Everyone listened attentively to Barnabas and Paul as they explained the miraculous signs that God had performed through them among the foreigners.

¹³ After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simon has described how God first revealed his concern for the foreigners by taking from them a people committed to him.

¹⁵ This is in accordance with the words of the prophets, as it's written,

¹⁶ ‘In the future I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen house of David; I will rebuild its ruins and set it straight.

¹⁷ I will do this so that those who are left may come to the Lord, including the foreigners who call on my name.

¹⁸ This is what the Lord says, who revealed these things long ago.’

¹⁹ So my decision is that we shouldn't make it difficult for foreigners who turn to God.

²⁰ We should write to them and tell them to avoid food sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, meat of animals that have been strangled, and from consuming blood.

²¹ For the law of Moses has been taught in every town for a long, long time—it's read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then the apostles and elders, together with the whole church, decided it would be good to choose some representatives and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas, leaders among the brothers,

²³ and sent them with this letter: “Greetings from us, the apostles and elders and brothers, to the non-Jewish brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

²⁴ We have heard that some from our group have confused you with their teachings, causing you trouble. We certainly didn't tell them to do this!

¹² Then all the multitude kept silence, and heard Barnabas and Paul, which told what signes and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.

¹³ And when they helde their peace, Iames answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken vnto me.

¹⁴ Simeon hath declared, howe God first did visite the Gentiles, to take of them a people vnto his Name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the woordes of the Prophets, as it is written,

¹⁶ After this I will returne, and will builde againe the tabernacle of Dauid, which is fallen downe, and the ruines thereof will I build againe, and I will set it vp,

¹⁷ That the residue of men might seeke after the Lord, and all the Gentiles vpon whom my Name is called, saith the Lord which doeth all these things.

¹⁸ From the beginning of the worlde, God knoweth all his workes.

¹⁹ Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them of the Gentiles that are turned to God,

²⁰ But that we send vnto them, that they abstaine themselues from filthinesse of idoles, and fornication, and that that is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses of olde time hath in euery citie them that preache him, seeing he is read in the Synagogues euery Sabbath day.

²² Then it seemed good to the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church, to sende chosen men of their owne companie to Antiochia with Paul and Barnabas: to wit, Iudas whose surname was Barsabas and Silas, which were chiefe men among the brethren,

²³ And wrote letters by them after this maner, THE APOSTLES, and the Elders, and the brethren, vnto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antiochia, and in Syria, and in Cilicia, send greeting.

²⁴ Forasmuch as we haue heard, that certaine which went out from vs, haue troubled you with wordes, and cumbred your mindes, saying, Ye must be circumcised and keepe the Lawe: to whom we gaue no such commandement,

¹² Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

¹³ And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

¹⁴ Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

¹⁶ After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

¹⁷ that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

¹⁸ Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

¹⁹ Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

²⁰ but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

²² Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

²³ and they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

²⁴ Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

¹² And all the multitude became silent, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they related what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the gentiles by them.

¹³ And after they had done speaking, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me.

¹⁴ Simeon hath related how God first visited the gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ And with this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written:

¹⁶ “After this I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which hath fallen; and I will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up;

¹⁷ that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, and all the gentiles, who have been called by my name, saith the Lord, who doeth these things,

¹⁸ which were known from the beginning.”

¹⁹ Wherefore my judgment is, that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God;

²⁰ but that we should write to them by letter to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from that which hath been strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses from the times of old hath had in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

²² Then it was decided by the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among themselves, and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

²³ And they wrote by them, “The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from the gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting.

²⁴ Whereas we have heard, that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no command;

¹² Every voice in the assembly was hushed, as they listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they gave an account of all the signs and wonders which God had shown amongst the Gentiles through them.

¹³ After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Friends,” he began, “hear what I have to say.

¹⁴ Simon has described the manner in which God first visited the Gentiles, in order to take from amongst them a people to bear his name.

¹⁵ And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say —

¹⁶ ‘After this I will return; And I will rebuild the house of David which has fallen — Its ruins I will rebuild, And will set it up once more;

¹⁷ That so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord — Even all the Gentiles on whom my name has been bestowed.

¹⁸ Says the Lord, as he does these things, known from long ago.’

¹⁹ In my judgement, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,

²⁰ but we should write to them to abstain from food that has been polluted by being sacrificed to idols, from impurity, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from blood.

²¹ For in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² It was then decided by the apostles and the elders, with the assent of the whole church, to choose some of their number, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. Those chosen were Judas (called Barsabas) and Silas, who were leaders amongst the community.

²³ They were bearers of the following letter — ‘The apostles, and the followers who are the church elders, send their greetings to the followers of the Lord of Gentile birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.

²⁴ As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds — without instructions from us —

¹² Every voice in the assembly was hushed, as they listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they gave an account of all the signs and wonders which God had shown among the Gentiles through them.

¹³ After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Friends,” he began, “hear what I have to say.

¹⁴ Simon has described the manner in which God first visited the Gentiles, in order to take from among them a people to bear his name.

¹⁵ And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say —

¹⁶ ‘After this I will return; And I will rebuild the house of David which has fallen — Its ruins I will rebuild, And will set it up once more;

¹⁷ That so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord — Even all the Gentiles on whom my name has been bestowed.

¹⁸ Says the Lord, as he does these things, known from long ago.’

¹⁹ In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,

²⁰ but we should write to them to abstain from food that has been polluted by being sacrificed to idols, from impurity, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from blood.

²¹ For in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² It was then decided by the apostles and the elders, with the assent of the whole church, to choose some of their number, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. Those chosen were Judas (called Barsabas) and Silas, who were leaders among the community.

²³ They were bearers of the following letter — ‘The apostles, and the followers who are the church elders, send their greetings to the followers of the Lord of Gentile birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.

²⁴ As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds — without instructions from us —

¹² Then everyone stopped talking and listened to Barnabas and Paul. They told everyone that God gave them power to do great things for the people that are not Jews.

¹³ They finished talking, then a man called James stood up and said, “My friends, listen to me.

¹⁴ Peter just told us about the first time God showed everyone that he loves those people that are not Jews, and that he picked some of them to be his own people.

¹⁵ A long time ago God’s men told that same message. They wrote,

¹⁶ ‘God said, “I will come back later and I will fix up David’s family again. They are like a tent that broke and fell down. But I will fix them up and make them strong again.

¹⁷ And some people from other countries will ask me for help. They are my people too. I am God. I promised to do that a long time ago, so I will do it.” ’ That’s in God’s book.”

¹⁹ And James kept talking, he said, “Those people that are turning to God are not Jews, and I think we shouldn’t make it hard for them.

²⁰ We have to write a letter to tell them not to worry about getting that young man’s operation. But we’ll tell them to follow these rules, – Don’t eat food that other people have given to sacred statues. – And don’t sleep with people that you are not married to, as if they are they are your wives or husbands. – And if somebody strangles an animal, don’t eat its meat. – And don’t eat blood.

²¹ You see, every Saturday the Jews read the law of Moses aloud in their meeting houses, in all the towns where those people live. They have been doing that for a long time, and people that are not Jews have heard that law. So we have to tell them not to worry about getting that young man’s operation.”

²² Then all the Christians and their leaders picked 2 of their men. One was called Judas Barsabbas and the other was Silas. Those 2 men were Christian leaders in Jerusalem. The others told them, “You 2 go with Paul and Barnabas and take this news to the Christians in Antioch, in Syria country.”

²³ And the church leaders wrote a letter for them to take with them. They wrote this, “This letter is from the close followers of Jesus, and the church leaders in Jerusalem. We are writing to you Christian people that are not Jews, that live in Antioch, and in Syria country and Cilicia country. You are like brothers and sisters to us. We hope you are all good and happy.

²⁴ Listen, we heard that some men from here went to you and told you things that really upset you. But we didn’t send those men.

¹² Then all the multitude was peased and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul which tolde what signes and wondres God had shewed amonge the gentyls by them.

¹³ And when they helde their peace Iames answered sayinge: Men and brethren herken vnto me.

¹⁴ Simeon tolde how God at the begynnynge dyd visit the gentyls and receaved of them people vnto his name.

¹⁵ And to this agreith the wordes of the Prophetes as it is written.

¹⁶ After this I will returne and wyll bylde agayne the tabernacle of David which is fallen doune and that which is fallen in dekey of it will I bilde agayne and I will set it vp

¹⁷ that the residue of men might seke after the Lorde and also the gentyls vpo whom my name is named saith the Lorde which doth all these thinges:

¹⁸ knowne vnto God are all his workes from the begynninge of the worlde.

¹⁹ Wherfore my sentence is that we trouble not them which from amonge the gentyls are turned to God:

²⁰ but that we write vnto them that they abstayne them selves from filthynes of ymages from fornicacion from straglyd and from bloude.

²¹ For Moses of olde tyme hath in every cite that preache him and he is rede in the synagoges every saboth daye.

²² Then pleased it the Apostles and elders with the whole congregacion to sende chosyn men of their owne company to Antioche with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Iudas called also Barsabas and Silas which were chefe men amonge the brethren

²³ and gave them lettres in their hondes after this maner. The Apostles elders and brethren send gretynges vnto the brethren which are of the gentyls in Antioche Siria and Celicia.

²⁴ For as moche as we have hearde that certayne which departed from vs have troubled you with wordes and combred youre myndes sayinge: Ye must be circumcised and kepe the lawe to whom we gave no soche commaundement.

¹² All the multitude kept silent while they listened to Barnabas and Paul report the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

¹³ After they stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simon has told how God first graciously helped the Gentiles in order to take from them a people for his name.

¹⁵ The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written,

¹⁶ 'After these things I will return, and I will build again the tent of David, which has fallen down; I will set up and restore its ruins again,

¹⁷ so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, including all the Gentiles called by my name.'

¹⁸ This is what the Lord says, who has done these things that have been known from ancient times.

¹⁹ Therefore, my opinion is, that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.

²⁰ But we will write to them that they must keep away from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, and from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from the ancient times and he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders of the church, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.

²³ They wrote this: “From the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the Gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings!

²⁴ We have heard that certain men have gone out from us, with no orders from us, and have disturbed you with teachings that upset your souls.

¹² All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.

¹³ After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up

¹⁷ that the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’

¹⁸ “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.

¹⁹ Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

²⁰ but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.

²³ They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

²⁴ Because 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 commandment;

¹² All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done amongst the nations through them.

¹³ After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up

¹⁷ that the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’

¹⁸ “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.

¹⁹ Therefore my judgement is that we don’t trouble those from amongst the Gentiles who turn to God,

²⁰ but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men amongst the brothers.

²³ They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

²⁴ Because 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 commandment;

¹² Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought by them among the Gentiles.

¹³ And after they held their peace, James answered, saying, Men, brethren, hearken to me.

¹⁴ Simeon hath declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take from among them a people for his name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

¹⁶ After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins of it; and I will set it up:

¹⁷ That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

¹⁸ Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

¹⁹ Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, who from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

²⁰ But that we write to them that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from lewdness, and from things strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

²² Then 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 surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

²³ And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles, and elders, and brethren, send greeting to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia.

²⁴ Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain who went out from us, have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commandment:

¹² All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.

¹³ After they were silent, Jacob answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up

¹⁷ that the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’

¹⁸ “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.

¹⁹ Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

²⁰ but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who proclaim him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then it seemed good to the emissaries and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judah called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.

²³ They wrote these things by their hand: “The emissaries, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

²⁴ Because 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 Torah,’ to whom we gave no commandment;

¹² All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done amongst the nations through them.

¹³ After they were silent, Jacob answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

¹⁴ Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up

¹⁷ that the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’

¹⁸ “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.

¹⁹ Therefore my judgement is that we don’t trouble those from amongst the Gentiles who turn to God,

²⁰ but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

²¹ For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who proclaim him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then it seemed good to the emissaries and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judah called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men amongst the brothers.

²³ They wrote these things by their hand: “The emissaries, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

²⁴ Because 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 Torah,’ to whom we gave no commandment;

¹² And all the multitude held peace, and heard Barnabas and Paul, telling how great or how many signs and wonders God did by them in heathen men.

¹³ And after that they held peace, James answered, and said, Brethren, hear ye me.

¹⁴ Simon told, how God visited, first to take of heathen men, a people to his name. Simon told, how first God visited, to take of heathen men a people to his name.

¹⁵ And the words of prophets accord to him, as it is written,

¹⁶ After this I shall turn again, and build the tabernacle of David, that fell down; and I shall build again the cast-down things of it, and I shall raise it;

¹⁷ that other men seek the Lord, and all folks, on whom my name is called to help or in-called; the Lord doing this thing, saith.

¹⁸ From the world, the work of the Lord is known to the Lord.

¹⁹ For which thing I deem them that of heathen men be converted to God, to be not dis-eased or unquieted,

²⁰ but to write to them, that they abstain them from defoulings of mau-mets or of simulacra, and from forni-cation, and strangled things, and blood.

²¹ For Moses of old times hath in all cities them that preach him in syna-gogues, whereby each sabbath he is read.

²² Then it pleased to the apostles, and to the elder men, with all the church, to choose men of them, and send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, Judas, that was named Barsabas, and Silas, the first men among brethren;

²³ and wrote by the hands of them, Apostles and elder brethren to them that be at Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren of heathen men, greeting.

²⁴ For we heard that some went out from us, and troubled you with words, and turned upside-down your souls, to which men we commanded not,

¹² And all the multitude held (their) peace, and heard Barnabas and Paul, telling how great signs and wonders, or how many signs and wonders, (that) God did by them in (the) heathen men. (And all the multitude held their peace, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, telling how many miracles and wonders that God did by them among the Gentiles.)

¹³ And after that they held (their) peace, James answered, and said, Brethren, hear ye me.

¹⁴ Simon told, how God visited, first to take (out) of heathen men, a people to his name. Simon told, how first God visited, to take (out) of (or from among) (the) heathen men a people to his name. (Simon told, how God first visited, to take, or to choose, from among the Gentiles, a people to his name.)

¹⁵ And the words of (the) prophets accord to him, as it is written,

¹⁶ After this I shall turn again (or After this I shall return), and build the tabernacle of David, that fell down; and I shall build again the cast-down things of it, and I shall raise it (up);

¹⁷ that other men seek the Lord, and all folks, on whom my name is called to help, or in-called, (or so that other men seek the Lord, yea, all the peoples and nations, who call on my name for help); the Lord doing this thing, saith.

¹⁸ From the (beginning of the) world, the work of the Lord is known to the Lord. (From long ago, or from the creation of the world, the Lord’s work was made known.)

¹⁹ For which thing I deem them that of (the) heathen men be converted to God, to be not dis-eased or unquieted,

²⁰ but to write to them, that they abstain them from (the) defoulings of maumets or of simulacra, and from fornication, and strangled things, and blood. (but to write to them, that they abstain themselves from the defilements of idols, that is, from food offered to idols, and from fornication, and from strangled things, and from blood.)

²¹ For Moses of (or from the) old times hath in all (the) cities them that preach him in (the) synagogues, whereby each sabbath he is read.

²² Then it pleased to the apostles, and to the elder men (or to the elders), with all the church, to choose (some) men of them, and send (them) to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, Judas, that was named Barsabas, and Silas, the first men among (the) brethren;

²³ and wrote by the hands of them, Apostles and elder brethren to them that be at Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren of heathen men (or to the Gentile brothers), greeting(s).

²⁴ For we heard that some went out from us, and troubled you with words, and turned upside-down your souls, to which men we commanded not,

¹² And all the multitude did keep silence, and were hearkening to Barnabas and Paul, declaring as many signs and wonders as God did among the nations through them;

¹³ and after they are silent, James answered, saying, 'Men, brethren, hearken to me;

¹⁴ Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,

¹⁵ and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it hath been written:

¹⁶ After these things I will turn back, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen down, and its ruins I will build again, and will set it upright —

¹⁷ that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the nations, upon whom My name hath been called, saith the Lord, who is doing all these things.

¹⁸ 'Known from the ages to God are all His works;

¹⁹ wherefore I judge: not to trouble those who from the nations do turn back to God,

²⁰ but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;

²¹ for Moses from former generations in every city hath those preaching him — in the synagogues every sabbath being read.'

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, chosen men out of themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas — Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren —

²³ having written through their hand thus: 'The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to those in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren, who are of the nations, greeting;

²⁴ seeing we have heard that certain having gone forth from us did trouble you with words, subverting your souls, saying to be circumcised and to keep the law, to whom we did give no charge,