The Dispute over Circumcision 2 DBY A commotion therefore having taken place, and no small discussion on the part of Paul and Barnabas against them, they arranged that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others from amongst 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 DBY They therefore, having been set on their way by the assembly, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of those of the nations. And they caused great joy to all the brethren. 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 DBY And being arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly, and the apostles, and the elders, and related all that God had wrought 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 DBY And some of those who were of the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, rose up from among them , saying that they ought to circumcise them and enjoin 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 DBY And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. BSB BSB: So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
7 DBY And much discussion having taken place, Peter, standing up, said to them, Brethren, ye know that from the earliest days God amongst you chose that the nations by my mouth should hear the word of the glad tidings 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 DBY And the heart-knowing God bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit as to us also, 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 DBY and put no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. BSB BSB: He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.
10 DBY Now therefore why tempt ye God, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been 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 DBY But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as they also. 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 DBY And all the multitude kept silence and listened to Barnabas and Paul relating all the signs and wonders which God had wrought among the nations 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 DBY Simon has related how God first visited to take out of the nations 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 DBY And with 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 DBY After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which is fallen, and will rebuild its ruins, and 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 DBY so that the residue of men may seek out the Lord, and all the nations on whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who does 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 DBY known from eternity. BSB BSB: that have been known for ages.’
20 DBY but to write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is 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 DBY Then it seemed good to the apostles and to the elders, with the whole assembly, to send chosen men from among them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, Judas called Barsabas and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 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 DBY having by their hand written thus : The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from among the nations at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting: 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 DBY Inasmuch as we have heard that some who went out from amongst us have troubled you by words, upsetting your souls, saying that ye must be circumcised and keep the law ; to whom we gave no 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 DBY it seemed good to us, having arrived at a common judgment, 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 DBY men who have given up 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 DBY We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves also will tell you by word of mouth the same things. BSB BSB: Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person the same things we are writing.
29 DBY to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication; keeping yourselves from which ye will do well. Farewell. 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 DBY They therefore, being let go, came to Antioch, and having gathered the multitude delivered to them the epistle. BSB BSB: So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they assembled the congregation and delivered the letter.
31 DBY And having read it, they rejoiced at the consolation. BSB BSB: When the people read it, they rejoiced at its encouraging message.
32 DBY And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with much discourse, and strengthened them. BSB BSB: Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
33 DBY And having passed some time there , they were let go in peace from the brethren to those who sent them. BSB BSB: After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers in peace to return to those who had sent them.
35 DBY And Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and announcing the glad tidings, with many others also, of the word of the Lord. 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 DBY But after certain days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city where we have announced the word of the Lord, and see how they are getting on. 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 DBY And Barnabas proposed to take with them John also, called Mark; BSB BSB: Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
38 DBY but Paul thought it not well to take with them him who had abandoned them, going back from Pamphylia, and had not gone 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 DBY There arose therefore very warm feeling, so that they separated from one another; and Barnabas taking Mark sailed away to Cyprus; BSB BSB: Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
40 DBY but Paul having chosen Silas went forth, committed by the brethren to the grace of God. BSB BSB: but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41 DBY And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies. BSB BSB: And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.