Third Millennium Bible TMB
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 And certain men who came down from Judea taught the brethren and said, "Unless ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved."
1
Some men came from Judea and started to teach believers that people can't be saved unless they are circumcised as Moses' Teachings require.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
2
Paul and Barnabas had a fierce dispute with these men. So Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were sent to Jerusalem to see the apostles and spiritual leaders about this claim.
3 And being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
3
The church sent Paul and Barnabas [to Jerusalem]. As they were going through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told the whole story of how non-Jewish people were turning to God. This story brought great joy to all the believers.
4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and by the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
4
The church in Jerusalem, the apostles, and the spiritual leaders welcomed Paul and Barnabas when they arrived. Paul and Barnabas reported everything that God had done through them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.
5
But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "People who are not Jewish must be circumcised and ordered to follow Moses' Teachings."
6 And the apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter.
6
The apostles and spiritual leaders met to consider this statement.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, "Men and brethren, ye 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.
7
After a lot of debating, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know what happened some time ago. God chose me so that people who aren't Jewish could hear the Good News and believe.
8 And God, who knoweth the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost even as He did unto us,
8
God, who knows everyone's thoughts, showed that he approved of people who aren't Jewish by giving them the Holy Spirit as he gave the Holy Spirit to us.
9 and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
9
God doesn't discriminate between Jewish and non-Jewish people. He has cleansed non-Jewish people through faith as he has cleansed us Jews.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
10
So why are you testing God? You're putting a burden on the disciples, a burden neither our ancestors nor we can carry.
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."
11
We certainly believe that the Lord Jesus saves us the same way that he saves them--through his kindness."
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul as they declared what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
12
The whole crowd was silent. They listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the miracles and amazing things that God had done through them among non-Jewish people.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, hearken unto me.
13
After they finished speaking, James responded, "Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simon hath declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out from them a people for His name.
14
Simon has explained how God first showed his concern by taking from non-Jewish people those who would honor his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written:
15
This agrees with what the prophets said. Scripture says,
16 `After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. And I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up,
16
'Afterwards, I will return. I will set up David's fallen tent again. I will restore its ruined places again. I will set it up again
17 that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord who doeth all these things.'
17
so that the survivors and all the people who aren't Jewish over whom my name is spoken, may search for the Lord, declares the Lord.
18 Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.
18
He is the one who will do these things that have always been known!'
19 Therefore my judgment is that we trouble not those from among the Gentiles who are turned to God,
19
"So I've decided that we shouldn't trouble non-Jewish people who are turning to God.
20 but that we write unto them that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
20
Instead, we should write a letter telling them to keep away from things polluted by false gods, from sexual sins, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from eating bloody meat.
21 For Moses from olden times hath in every city those who preach him, he being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day."
21
After all, Moses' words have been spread to every city for generations. His teachings are read in synagogues on every day of worship."
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, together with the whole church, to send men chosen from their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas surnamed Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.
22
Then the apostles, the spiritual leaders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to the city of Antioch. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, who were leaders among the believers.
23 And they wrote letters to accompany them in this manner: "The apostles and elders and brethren send greetings unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
23
They wrote this letter for them to deliver: From the apostles and the spiritual leaders, your brothers. To their non-Jewish brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Dear brothers and sisters,
24 Inasmuch as we have heard that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, `Ye must be circumcised and keep the law' -- to whom we gave no such commandment --
24
We have heard that some individuals who came from us have confused you with statements that disturb you. We did not authorize these men [to speak].
25 it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
25
So we have come to a unanimous decision that we should choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul.
26 men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
26
Barnabas and Paul have dedicated their lives to our Lord, the one named Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
27
We have sent Judas and Silas to report to you on our decision.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
28
The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to place any additional burdens on you. Do only what is necessary
29 that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If ye keep yourselves from these things, ye shall do well. Fare ye well!"
29
by keeping away from food sacrificed to false gods, from eating bloody meat, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual sins. If you avoid these things, you will be doing what's right. Farewell!
30 So when they were sent off, they went to Antioch. And when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle;
30
So the men were sent on their way and arrived in the city of Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter.
31 and when they had read it, they rejoiced in its consolation.
31
When the people read the letter, they were pleased with the encouragement it brought them.
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and strengthened them.
32
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, spoke a long time to encourage and strengthen the believers.
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace by the brethren to return unto the apostles.
33
After Judas and Silas had stayed in Antioch for some time, the congregation sent them back to Jerusalem with friendly greetings to those who had sent them.
34 Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to remain there still.
34
35 Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also.
35
Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught people about the Lord's word and spread the Good News.
36 And some days later, Paul said unto Barnabas, "Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the Word of the Lord, and see how they do."
36
After a while Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back to every city where we spread the Lord's word. We'll visit the believers to see how they're doing."
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
37
Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along.
38 But Paul thought it not good to take him with them, as he had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them in the work.
38
However, Paul didn't think it was right to take a person like him along. John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to work.
39 And the contention was so sharp between them that they parted asunder, one from the other; and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.
39
Paul and Barnabas disagreed so sharply that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to the island of Cyprus.
40 And Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
40
Paul chose Silas and left after the believers entrusted him to the Lord's care.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
41
Paul went through the provinces of Syria and Cilicia and strengthened the churches.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.