The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 15

   {15:1} Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers,
 "Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be
 saved." {15:2} Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord
 and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some
 others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about
 this question. {15:3} They, being sent on their way by the assembly,
 passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of
 the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the [1>]brothers.[<1]
 {15:4} When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the
 assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things
 that God had done with them.

   {15:5} But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up,
 saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to
 keep the law of Moses."

   {15:6} The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see
 about this matter. {15:7} When there had been much discussion, Peter
 rose up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that a good while ago
 God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear
 the word of the Good News, and believe. {15:8} God, who knows the
 heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he
 did to us. {15:9} He made no distinction between us and them,
 cleansing their hearts by faith. {15:10} Now therefore why do you
 tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples
 which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? {15:11} But we
 believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,[2] just
 as they are."

   {15:12} 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. {15:13} After they were silent, James
 answered, "Brothers, listen to me. {15:14} Simeon has reported how God
 first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.
 {15:15} This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
 {15:16} '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,
   {15:17} 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.[3]
   {15:18} All his works are known to God from eternity.'

   {15:19} "Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from
 among the Gentiles who turn to God, {15:20} but that we write to them
 that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality,
 from what is strangled, and from blood. {15:21} For Moses from
 generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read
 in the synagogues every Sabbath."

   {15:22} 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 [4>]brothers.[<4] {15:23} 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. {15:24}
 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; {15:25} it seemed
 good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them
 to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, {15:26} men who have risked
 their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. {15:27} We have
 sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the
 same things by word of mouth. {15:28} For it seemed good to the Holy
 Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these
 necessary things: {15:29} that you abstain from things sacrificed to
 idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality,
 from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell."

   {15:30} So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having
 gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. {15:31}
 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. {15:32}
 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the
 brothers with many words, and strengthened them. {15:33} After they
 had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the
 brothers to the apostles. {15:34} [5] {15:35} But Paul and Barnabas
 stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with
 many others also.

   {15:36} After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's return now and
 visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of
 the Lord, to see how they are doing." {15:37} Barnabas planned to take
 John, who was called Mark, with them also. {15:38} But Paul didn't
 think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had
 withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn't go with them to do the
 work. {15:39} Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated
 from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to
 Cyprus, {15:40} but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by
 the brothers to the grace of God. {15:41} He went through Syria and
 Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.

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Footnotes:
[1] {15:3} The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows
may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."

[2] {15:11} TR adds "Christ"

[3] {15:17} Amos 9:11-12

[4] {15:22} The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows
may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."

[5] {15:34} Some manuscripts add: But it seemed good to Silas to stay
there.

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