Acts of the Apostles 15

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
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 some coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That except you be circumcised after the manner 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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
6 The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.	6 And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider 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 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.
8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us.	8 And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us;
9 He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts.	9 And put no difference 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 tempt you God to put 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 to be saved, in like manner as they also.
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 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 After they had fallen silent, James responded, "My brothers, listen to me.	13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me.
14 Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.	14 Simon hath related how God first visited to take of the Gentiles a people to his name.
15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:	15 And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is 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 will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and the ruins thereof I will rebuild, and I will set 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 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 known from of old.'	18 To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the world.
19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,	19 For which cause I judge that they, who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted.
20 but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.	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, 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 of old time hath in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read 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 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 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 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 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 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:
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 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:
26 who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.	26 Men that have given their lives for 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 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell 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 hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no further burden upon you 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 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.
30 And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.	30 They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch; and gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle.
31 When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.	31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brothers with many words.	32 But Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, with many words comforted the brethren, and confirmed 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.	33 And after they had spent some time there, they were let go with peace by the brethren, unto them that had sent them.
34	34 But it seemed good unto Silas to remain there; and 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 continued at Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others, 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 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.
37 Barnabas wanted to take with them also John, who was called Mark,	37 And Barnabas would have taken with them John also, that was surnamed Mark;
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 desired that he (as having departed from them out of Pamphylia, and not gone with them to the work) might not be received.
39 So sharp was their disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.	39 And there arose a dissension, so that they departed one from 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 But Paul choosing Silas, departed, being delivered by the brethren to the grace of God.
41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia bringing strength to the churches.	41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, commanding them to keep the precepts of the apostles and the ancients.