Acts of the Apostles 15

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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."	1 And certain ones, descending from Judea, were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
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.	2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas made no small uprising against them, they decided that Paul and Barnabas, and some from the opposing side, should go up to the Apostles and priests in Jerusalem concerning this question.
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.	3 Therefore, being led by the church, they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles. And they caused great joy among all the brothers.
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.	4 And when they had arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the Apostles and the elders, reporting what great things God had done with them.
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."	5 But some from the sect of the Pharisees, those who were believers, rose up saying, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and to be instructed to keep the Law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.	6 And the Apostles and elders came together to take care of this matter.
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.	7 And after a great contention had taken place, Peter rose up and said to them: “Noble brothers, you know that, in recent days, God has chosen from among us, by my mouth, Gentiles to hear the word of the Gospel and to believe.
8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us.	8 And God, who knows hearts, offered testimony, by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as to us.
9 He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts.	9 And he distinguished nothing between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
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?	10 Now therefore, why do you tempt God to impose a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they."	11 But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe in order to be saved, in the same manner also as 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.	12 Then the entire multitude was silent. And they were listening to Barnabas and Paul, describing what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
13 After they had fallen silent, James responded, "My brothers, listen to me.	13 And after they had been silent, James responded by saying: “Noble brothers, listen to me.
14 Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.	14 Simon has explained in what manner God first visited, so as to take from the Gentiles a people to his name.
15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:	15 And the words of the Prophets are in agreement with this, just as it was written:
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,	16 ‘After these things, I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. And I will rebuild its ruins, and I will raise it up,
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,	17 so that the rest of men may seek the Lord, along with all the nations over whom my name has been invoked, says the Lord, who does these things.’
18 known from of old.'	18 To the Lord, his own work has been known from eternity.
19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,	19 Because of this, I judge that those who were converted to God from among the Gentiles are not to be disturbed,
20 but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.	20 but instead that we write to them, that they should keep themselves from the defilement of idols, and from fornication, and from whatever has been suffocated, and from blood.
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."	21 For Moses, from ancient times, has had in each city those who preach him in the synagogues, where he is read on every Sabbath.”
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.	22 Then it pleased the Apostles and elders, with the whole Church, to choose men from among them, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, and Judas, who was surnamed Barsabbas, and Silas, preeminent men among the brothers,
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.	23 what was written by their own hands: “The Apostles and elders, brothers, to those who are at Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, brothers from the Gentiles, greetings.
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,	24 Since we have heard that some, going out from among us, have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no commandment,
25 we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,	25 it pleased us, being assembled as one, to choose men and to send them to you, with our most beloved Barnabas and Paul:
26 who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.	26 men who have handed over their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:	27 Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, with the spoken word, reaffirm to you the same things.
28 'It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,	28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose no further burden upon you, other than these necessary things:
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.'"	29 that you abstain from things immolated to idols, and from blood, and from what has been suffocated, and from fornication. You will do well to keep yourselves from these things. Farewell.”
30 And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.	30 And so, having been dismissed, they went down to Antioch. And gathering the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.
31 When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.	31 And when they had read it, they were gladdened by this consolation.
32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brothers with many words.	32 But Judas and Silas, being also prophets themselves, consoled the brothers with many words, and they were strengthened.
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.	33 Then, after spending some more time there, they were dismissed with peace, by the brothers, to those who had sent them.
34	34 But it seemed good to Silas to remain there. So Judas alone departed to Jerusalem.
35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming with many others the word of the Lord.	35 And Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, with many others, teaching and evangelizing the Word of the Lord.
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."	36 Then, after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return to visit the brothers throughout all the cities in which we have preached the Word of the Lord, to see how they are.”
37 Barnabas wanted to take with them also John, who was called Mark,	37 And Barnabas wanted to take John, who was surnamed Mark, with them also.
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.	38 But Paul was saying that he ought not to be received, since he withdrew from them at Pamphylia, and he had not gone with them in the work.
39 So sharp was their disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.	39 And there occurred a dissension, to such an extent that they departed from one another. And Barnabas, indeed taking Mark, sailed to Cyprus.
40 But Paul chose Silas and departed after being commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.	40 Yet truly, Paul, choosing Silas, set out, being delivered by the brothers to the grace of God.
41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia bringing strength to the churches.	41 And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the Churches, instructing them to keep the precepts of the Apostles and the elders.