The Dispute over Circumcision 2 AKJV When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. BSB BSB: And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
3 AKJV And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy to all the brothers. BSB BSB: Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.
4 AKJV And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. BSB BSB: On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.
The Council at Jerusalem (Amos 9:11–15; Galatians 2:1–10)
5 AKJV But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. BSB BSB: But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”
6 AKJV And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. BSB BSB: So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
7 AKJV And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Men and brothers, you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. BSB BSB: After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
8 AKJV And God, which knows the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did to us; BSB BSB: And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.
9 AKJV And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. BSB BSB: He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.
10 AKJV Now therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? BSB BSB: Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?
11 AKJV But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. BSB BSB: On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
12 AKJV Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles by them. BSB BSB: The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
14 AKJV Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. BSB BSB: Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.
15 AKJV And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, BSB BSB: The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16 AKJV 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: BSB BSB: ‘After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,
17 AKJV That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, on whom my name is called, says the Lord, who does all these things. BSB BSB: so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things
18 AKJV Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. BSB BSB: that have been known for ages.’
20 AKJV But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. BSB BSB: Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.
The Letter to the Gentile Believers 22 AKJV 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 brothers: BSB BSB: Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
23 AKJV And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. BSB BSB: and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 AKJV For as much as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: BSB BSB: It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.
25 AKJV It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, BSB BSB: So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 AKJV Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. BSB BSB: men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 AKJV We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. BSB BSB: Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person the same things we are writing.
29 AKJV That you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Fare you well. BSB BSB: You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
The Believers at Antioch Rejoice 30 AKJV So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter: BSB BSB: So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they assembled the congregation and delivered the letter.
31 AKJV Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. BSB BSB: When the people read it, they rejoiced at its encouraging message.
32 AKJV And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brothers with many words, and confirmed them. BSB BSB: Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
33 AKJV And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brothers to the apostles. BSB BSB: After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers in peace to return to those who had sent them.
34 AKJV Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. BSB BSB: Not in the BSB
35 AKJV Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. BSB BSB: But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey Begins (Acts 13:1–3; Acts 18:23–28)
36 AKJV And some days after Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brothers in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do. BSB BSB: Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
37 AKJV And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. BSB BSB: Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
38 AKJV But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. BSB BSB: But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.
39 AKJV And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus; BSB BSB: Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
40 AKJV And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brothers to the grace of God. BSB BSB: but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41 AKJV And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. BSB BSB: And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.