Acts 15 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Council in Jerusalem

15 (A)Some men came down from Judea and began teaching (B)the brothers, “Unless you are (C)circumcised according to (D)the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had [a]a heated argument and (E)debate with them, (F)the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the (G)apostles and elders concerning this issue. 3 Therefore, after being (H)sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both (I)Phoenicia and Samaria, (J)describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they were bringing great joy to all (K)the brothers and sisters. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church, (L)the apostles, and the elders, and they (M)reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of (N)the sect of the (O)Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to (P)circumcise [b]them and to direct them to keep the Law of Moses.”

6 (Q)The apostles and the elders came together to [c]look into this [d]matter. 7 After there had been much (R)debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “[e]Brothers, you know that [f]in the early days (S)God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of (T)the gospel and believe. 8 And God, (U)who knows the heart, testified to them (V)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and (W)He made no distinction between us and them, (X)cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Since this is the case, why are you (Y)putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which (Z)neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through (AA)the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”

12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were (AB)relating all the (AC)signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

James’ Judgment

13 After they stopped speaking, [g](AD)James responded, saying, “[h]Brothers, listen to me. 14 (AE)Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles. 15 The words of (AF)the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written:

16 ‘(AG)After these things (AH)I will return,
And I will rebuild the fallen [i]tabernacle of David,
And I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will restore it,
17 (AI)So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
And all the Gentiles [j](AJ)who are called by My name,’
18 (AK)Says the Lord, who [k](AL)makes these things known from long ago.

19 Therefore, it is (AM)my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from [l](AN)things contaminated by idols, from (AO)acts of sexual immorality, from (AP)what has been [m]strangled, and from blood. 21 For (AQ)from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since [n]he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22 Then it seemed good to (AR)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to (AS)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and (AT)Silas, leading men among (AU)the brothers, 23 and they [o]sent this letter with them:

“(AV)The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to (AW)the brothers and sisters in (AX)Antioch, (AY)Syria, and (AZ)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: (BA)Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that (BB)some [p]of our number to whom we gave no instruction have (BC)confused you by their [q]teaching, upsetting your souls, 25 (BD)it seemed good to us, having [r]become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have [s](BE)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore, we have sent (BF)Judas and (BG)Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For (BH)it seemed good to (BI)the Holy Spirit and to (BJ)us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from (BK)things sacrificed to idols, from (BL)blood, from (BM)things strangled, and from (BN)acts of sexual immorality; [t]if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent away, (BO)they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the [u]congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its [v]encouragement. 32 (BP)Judas and (BQ)Silas, also being (BR)prophets themselves, [w]encouraged and strengthened (BS)the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters (BT)in peace to those who had (BU)sent them out.[x] 35 But (BV)Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and (BW)preaching (BX)the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Second Missionary Journey

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers and sisters in (BY)every city in which we proclaimed (BZ)the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take (CA)John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had (CB)deserted them [y]in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took (CC)Mark with him and sailed away to (CD)Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose (CE)Silas, and left after being (CF)entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through (CG)Syria and (CH)Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:2 Lit no little
  2. Acts 15:5 I.e., Gentile believers
  3. Acts 15:6 Lit see about
  4. Acts 15:6 Lit word
  5. Acts 15:7 Lit Men, brothers
  6. Acts 15:7 Lit from days of old
  7. Acts 15:13 Or Jacob
  8. Acts 15:13 Lit Men, brothers
  9. Acts 15:16 Or tent
  10. Acts 15:17 Lit upon whom My name is called
  11. Acts 15:18 Or does these things which were known
  12. Acts 15:20 Lit the pollutions of
  13. Acts 15:20 I.e., to retain the blood
  14. Acts 15:21 I.e., the books of Moses, Gen through Deut
  15. Acts 15:23 Lit wrote by their hand
  16. Acts 15:24 Lit from us
  17. Acts 15:24 Lit words
  18. Acts 15:25 Or met together
  19. Acts 15:26 Lit given over
  20. Acts 15:29 Lit from which keeping yourselves free
  21. Acts 15:30 Or multitude
  22. Acts 15:31 Or exhortation
  23. Acts 15:32 Or exhorted
  24. Acts 15:33 Late mss add as v 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
  25. Acts 15:38 Lit from

Cross references

  1. Acts 15:1 : Acts 15:24
  2. Acts 15:1 : Acts 1:15; 15:3, 22, 32
  3. Acts 15:1 : Lev 12:3; Acts 15:5; 1 Cor 7:18; Gal 2:11, 14; 5:2f
  4. Acts 15:1 : Acts 6:14
  5. Acts 15:2 : Acts 15:7
  6. Acts 15:2 : Gal 2:2
  7. Acts 15:2 : Acts 11:30; 15:4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4
  8. Acts 15:3 : Acts 20:38; 21:5; Rom 15:24; 1 Cor 16:6, 11; 2 Cor 1:16; Titus 3:13; 3 John 6
  9. Acts 15:3 : Acts 11:19
  10. Acts 15:3 : Acts 14:27; 15:4, 12
  11. Acts 15:3 : Acts 1:15; 15:22, 32
  12. Acts 15:4 : Acts 11:30; 15:6, 22, 23; 16:4
  13. Acts 15:4 : Acts 14:27; 15:12
  14. Acts 15:5 : Acts 5:17; 24:5, 14; 26:5; 28:22
  15. Acts 15:5 : Matt 3:7; Acts 26:5
  16. Acts 15:5 : 1 Cor 7:18; Gal 2:11, 14; 5:2f
  17. Acts 15:6 : Acts 11:30; 15:4, 22, 23; 16:4
  18. Acts 15:7 : Acts 15:2
  19. Acts 15:7 : Acts 10:19f
  20. Acts 15:7 : Acts 20:24
  21. Acts 15:8 : Acts 1:24
  22. Acts 15:8 : Acts 2:4; 10:44, 47
  23. Acts 15:9 : Acts 10:28, 34; 11:12
  24. Acts 15:9 : Acts 10:43
  25. Acts 15:10 : Acts 5:9
  26. Acts 15:10 : Matt 23:4; Gal 5:1
  27. Acts 15:11 : Rom 3:24; 5:15; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 2:5-8
  28. Acts 15:12 : Acts 14:27; 15:3, 4
  29. Acts 15:12 : John 4:48
  30. Acts 15:13 : Acts 12:17
  31. Acts 15:14 : Acts 15:7; 2 Pet 1:1
  32. Acts 15:15 : Acts 13:40
  33. Acts 15:16 : Amos 9:11
  34. Acts 15:16 : Jer 12:15
  35. Acts 15:17 : Amos 9:12
  36. Acts 15:17 : Deut 28:10; Is 63:19; Jer 14:9; Dan 9:19; James 2:7
  37. Acts 15:18 : Amos 9:12
  38. Acts 15:18 : Is 45:21
  39. Acts 15:19 : Acts 15:28; 21:25
  40. Acts 15:20 : Ex 34:15-17; Dan 1:8; Acts 15:29; 1 Cor 8:7, 13; 10:7f, 14-28; Rev 2:14, 20
  41. Acts 15:20 : Lev 18:6-23
  42. Acts 15:20 : Gen 9:4; Lev 3:17; 7:26; 17:10, 14; 19:26; Deut 12:16, 23; 15:23; 1 Sam 14:33
  43. Acts 15:21 : Acts 13:15; 2 Cor 3:14f
  44. Acts 15:22 : Acts 15:2
  45. Acts 15:22 : Acts 11:20
  46. Acts 15:22 : Acts 15:27, 32, 40; 16:19, 25, 29; 17:4, 10, 14f; 18:5; 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1; 1 Pet 5:12
  47. Acts 15:22 : Acts 15:1
  48. Acts 15:23 : Acts 15:2
  49. Acts 15:23 : Acts 15:1
  50. Acts 15:23 : Acts 11:20
  51. Acts 15:23 : Matt 4:24; Acts 15:41; Gal 1:21
  52. Acts 15:23 : Acts 6:9
  53. Acts 15:23 : Acts 23:26; James 1:1; 2 John 10f
  54. Acts 15:24 : Acts 15:1
  55. Acts 15:24 : Gal 1:7; 5:10
  56. Acts 15:25 : Acts 15:28
  57. Acts 15:26 : Acts 9:23ff; 14:19
  58. Acts 15:27 : Acts 15:22, 32
  59. Acts 15:27 : Acts 15:22
  60. Acts 15:28 : Acts 15:25
  61. Acts 15:28 : Acts 5:32; 15:8
  62. Acts 15:28 : Acts 15:19, 25
  63. Acts 15:29 : Acts 15:20
  64. Acts 15:29 : Acts 15:20
  65. Acts 15:29 : Acts 15:20
  66. Acts 15:29 : Acts 15:20
  67. Acts 15:30 : Acts 15:22f
  68. Acts 15:32 : Acts 15:22, 27
  69. Acts 15:32 : Acts 15:22
  70. Acts 15:32 : Acts 13:1
  71. Acts 15:32 : Acts 15:1
  72. Acts 15:33 : Mark 5:34; Acts 16:36; 1 Cor 16:11; Heb 11:31
  73. Acts 15:33 : Acts 15:22
  74. Acts 15:35 : Acts 12:25
  75. Acts 15:35 : Acts 8:4
  76. Acts 15:35 : Acts 13:12
  77. Acts 15:36 : Acts 13:4, 13, 14, 51; 14:6, 24f
  78. Acts 15:36 : Acts 13:12
  79. Acts 15:37 : Acts 12:12
  80. Acts 15:38 : Acts 13:13
  81. Acts 15:39 : Acts 12:12; 15:37; Col 4:10
  82. Acts 15:39 : Acts 4:36
  83. Acts 15:40 : Acts 15:22
  84. Acts 15:40 : Acts 11:23; 14:26
  85. Acts 15:41 : Matt 4:24; Acts 15:23
  86. Acts 15:41 : Acts 6:9

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15 Then some from Judea came down and taught the brothers, saying, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when there was great dissension and disputation by Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordained that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of ...
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Acts 15 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

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