The Dispute over Circumcision 2 ULT And no little dispute and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them having happened, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and certain others from among them to go up to the apostles and elders in 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 ULT Therefore indeed the ones having been sent out by the church were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles and producing great joy in 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 ULT And having arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported how much 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 ULT But certain ones from the sect of the Pharisees, having believed, stood up, saying,“It is necessary to circumcise them and 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 ULT So the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this word. BSB BSB: So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
7 ULT And much debate having happened, Peter, arising, said to them,“Men, brothers, you know that from original days God chose among you: By my mouth the Gentiles would 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 ULT And God, the heart- knower, testified to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as also 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 ULT and he did not distinguish between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. BSB BSB: He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.
10 ULT Now, therefore, why are you testing God, putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples that 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 ULT But we believe ourselves to be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, according to the way 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 ULT And the whole crowd kept silent and was listening to Barnabas and Paul describing how many signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through 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 ULT Simeon has described how God first looked to take from the Gentiles 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 ULT And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, BSB BSB: The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16 ULT ‘After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David, and I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 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 ULT so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles upon whom my name has been called upon them, says the Lord doing 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 ULT known from eternity.’ BSB BSB: that have been known for ages.’
20 ULT but to write to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and sexual immorality and the strangled and 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 ULT Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas chosen men from among them— Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading 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 ULT writing by their hand:“The apostles and the elders, brothers, to the brothers among the Gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Greetings! 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 ULT Now we have heard that some, having gone out from us, have disturbed you with words, upsetting your souls, whom we did not commission; 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 ULT it seemed good to us, having become unanimous, having chosen men, to send them 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 ULT men having handed over their souls 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 ULT Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, they also reporting the same thing by word. BSB BSB: Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person the same things we are writing.
29 ULT to abstain from things sacrificed to idols and blood and the strangled and sexual immorality, from which keeping yourselves, you 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 ULT So they, having been dismissed, indeed came down to Antioch, and gathering the crowd 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 ULT And having read it, they rejoiced at the encouragement. BSB BSB: When the people read it, they rejoiced at its encouraging message.
32 ULT Both Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many a word and strengthened them. BSB BSB: Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
33 ULT And having stayed some time, they were sent away with peace from the brothers to the ones having 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 ULT But it seemed good to Silas for them to remain there, so only Judas traveled. BSB BSB: Not in the BSB
35 ULT But Paul and Barnabas were staying in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming 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 ULT Then after some days, Paul said to Barnabas,“Returning, then, let us visit the brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, how they are.” 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 ULT But Barnabas was wanting also to take with them John called Mark. BSB BSB: Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
38 ULT But Paul was thinking it wise not to take with them this one having withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and not having accompanied them in 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 ULT And a dispute happened, so as for them to be separated from each other and for Barnabas, taking Mark with him, to sail away to Cyprus. BSB BSB: Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
40 ULT But Paul, having chosen Silas, went out, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. BSB BSB: but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41 ULT And he was going through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening 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.