The Dispute over Circumcision 2 DRA 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. 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter. BSB BSB: So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
7 DRA 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. 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 DRA And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as 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 DRA 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 DRA 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? 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 DRA But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA Simon hath related how God first visited to take of the Gentiles a people to 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 DRA 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 DRA 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: 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the world. BSB BSB: that have been known for ages.’
20 DRA 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. 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA 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: 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 DRA 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: BSB BSB: So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 DRA Men that have given 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 DRA We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things. BSB BSB: Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person the same things we are writing.
29 DRA 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. 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 DRA They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch; and gathering together the multitude, delivered 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 DRA Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. BSB BSB: When the people read it, they rejoiced at its encouraging message.
32 DRA But Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, with many words comforted the brethren, and confirmed them. BSB BSB: Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
33 DRA And after they had spent some time there, they were let go with peace by the brethren, unto them that had 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.
34 DRA But it seemed good unto Silas to remain there; and Judas alone departed to Jerusalem. BSB BSB: Not in the BSB
35 DRA And Paul and Barnabas continued at Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others, 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA And Barnabas would have taken with them John also, that was surnamed Mark; BSB BSB: Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
38 DRA 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. 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 DRA And there arose a dissension, so that they departed one from another; and Barnabas indeed taking Mark, sailed to Cyprus. BSB BSB: Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
40 DRA But Paul choosing Silas, departed, being delivered 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 DRA And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, commanding them to keep the precepts of the apostles and the ancients. BSB BSB: And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.