1
And some, coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That, except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
But there arose of the sect of the Pharisees some that believed, saying: They must be circumcised and be commanded to observe the law of Moses.
6
And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter.
7
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.
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And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us:
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And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
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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?
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But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like manner as they also.
12
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.
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And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me.
14
Simon hath related how God first visited to take to the Gentiles, a people to his name.
15
And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written:
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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:
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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.
18
To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the world.
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For which cause, judge that they who from among the Gentiles are converted to God are not to be disquieted:
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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.
21
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.