The Dispute over Circumcision 2 RV And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto 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 RV They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto 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 RV And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed 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 RV But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge 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 RV And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter. BSB BSB: So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
7 RV And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among you, 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 RV And God, which knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto 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 RV and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. BSB BSB: He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.
10 RV Now therefore why tempt ye God, that ye should put a yoke upon 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 RV But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner 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 RV And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what 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 RV Symeon hath rehearsed how first God 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 RV 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 RV After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; 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 RV That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, 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 RV Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from the beginning of the world. BSB BSB: that have been known for ages.’
20 RV but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the 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 RV Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely , Judas called Barsabbas, 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 RV and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elder brethren unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and 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 RV Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which went 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 RV it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto 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 RV 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 RV We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth. BSB BSB: Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person the same things we are writing.
29 RV that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. 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 RV So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they 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 RV And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation. BSB BSB: When the people read it, they rejoiced at its encouraging message.
32 RV And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. BSB BSB: Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
33 RV And after they had spent some time there , they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth. 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 RV But Paul and Barnabas tarried 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 RV And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare. 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 RV And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark. BSB BSB: Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
38 RV But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew 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 RV And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus; BSB BSB: Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
40 RV but Paul chose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren 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 RV 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.