Acts 15

1 And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, [saying], Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.ASV — Acts 15:1

2 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.ASV — Acts 15:2

3 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.ASV — Acts 15:3

4 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.ASV — Acts 15:4

5 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.ASV — Acts 15:5

6 And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.ASV — Acts 15:6

7 And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know 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.ASV — Acts 15:7

8 And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;ASV — Acts 15:8

9 and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.ASV — Acts 15:9

10 Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?ASV — Acts 15:10

11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.ASV — Acts 15:11

12 And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.ASV — Acts 15:12

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:ASV — Acts 15:13

14 Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.ASV — Acts 15:14

15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,ASV — Acts 15:15

16 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:ASV — Acts 15:16

17 That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,ASV — Acts 15:17

18 Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.ASV — Acts 15:18

19 Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;ASV — Acts 15:19

20 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.ASV — Acts 15:20

21 For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.ASV — Acts 15:21

22 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:ASV — Acts 15:22

23 and they wrote [thus] by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:ASV — Acts 15:23

24 Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;ASV — Acts 15:24

25 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,ASV — Acts 15:25

26 men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.ASV — Acts 15:26

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth.ASV — Acts 15:27

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:ASV — Acts 15:28

29 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.ASV — Acts 15:29

30 So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.ASV — Acts 15:30

31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.ASV — Acts 15:31

32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.ASV — Acts 15:32

33 And after they had spent some time [there], they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth.ASV — Acts 15:33

34 [But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.]ASV — Acts 15:34

35 But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.ASV — Acts 15:35

36 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.ASV — Acts 15:36

37 And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.ASV — Acts 15:37

38 But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.ASV — Acts 15:38

39 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;ASV — Acts 15:39

40 but Paul choose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.ASV — Acts 15:40

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.ASV — Acts 15:41