Acts of the Apostles 15

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 And some coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.	1 Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved."
2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of the other side, should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem about this question.	2 Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters about this question.
3 They therefore being brought on their way by the church, passed through Phenice, and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.	3 They were sent on their journey by the church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and ancients, declaring how great things God had done with them.	4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them.
5 But there arose some of the sect of the Pharisees that believed, saying: They must be circumcised, and be commanded to observe the law of Moses.	5 But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law."
6 And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter.	6 The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to them: Men, brethren, you know, that in former days God made choice among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.	7 After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them, "My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8 And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us;	8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us.
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.	9 He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts.
10 Now therefore, why tempt you God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?	10 Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
11 But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like manner as they also.	11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they."
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.	12 The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me.	13 After they had fallen silent, James responded, "My brothers, listen to me.
14 Simon hath related how God first visited to take of the Gentiles a people to his name.	14 Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written:	15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as 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:	16 'After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again,
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.	17 so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,
18 To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the world.	18 known from of old.'
19 For which cause I judge that they, who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted.	19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,
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.	20 but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.	21 For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues 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.	22 Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
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.	23 This is the letter delivered by them: "The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings.
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:	24 Since we have heard that some of our number (who went out) without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind,
25 It hath seemed good to us, being assembled together, to choose out men, and to send them unto you, with our well beloved Barnabas and Paul:	25 we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have given their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.	26 who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things.	27 So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
28 For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no further burden upon you than these necessary things:	28 'It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
29 That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which things keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well.	29 namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'"
30 They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch; and gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle.	30 And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.	31 When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.
32 But Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, with many words comforted the brethren, and confirmed them.	32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brothers with many words.
33 And after they had spent some time there, they were let go with peace by the brethren, unto them that had sent them.	33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent off with greetings of peace from the brothers to those who had commissioned them.
34 But it seemed good unto Silas to remain there; and Judas alone departed to Jerusalem.	34
35 And Paul and Barnabas continued at Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others, the word of the Lord.	35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming with many others the word of the Lord.
36 And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas: Let us return and visit our brethren in all the cities wherein we have preached the word of the Lord, to see how they do.	36 After some time, Paul said to Barnabas, "Come, let us make a return visit to see how the brothers are getting on in all the cities where we proclaimed the word of the Lord."
37 And Barnabas would have taken with them John also, that was surnamed Mark;	37 Barnabas wanted to take with them also John, who was called Mark,
38 But Paul desired that he (as having departed from them out of Pamphylia, and not gone with them to the work) might not be received.	38 but Paul insisted that they should not take with them someone who had deserted them at Pamphylia and who had not continued with them in their work.
39 And there arose a dissension, so that they departed one from another; and Barnabas indeed taking Mark, sailed to Cyprus.	39 So sharp was their disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.
40 But Paul choosing Silas, departed, being delivered by the brethren to the grace of God.	40 But Paul chose Silas and departed after being commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, commanding them to keep the precepts of the apostles and the ancients.	41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia bringing strength to the churches.