KJ3 Literal Translation
Acts 15
1 Dissension arises touching circumcision. 39 Paul and Barnabas fall at strife, and depart asunder.
1And some, coming down from Judea, were teaching the brothers, saying, If you are not circumcised in the custom of Moses, you are not able to be saved.
2Therefore strife and not a little discussion with them occurring by Paul and Barnabas, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up into Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this question.
3Therefore, indeed, being sent forward by the assembly they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, relating in detail the conversion of the nations. And they caused great joy among all the brothers.
4And arriving into Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the assembly and the apostles and the elders. And they reported as many things as God did with them.
5But some of the ones rose up from the sect of the Pharisees, having believed, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.
6And the apostles and the elders were assembled to see about this matter.
7And much discussion having occurred, rising up Peter said to them: Men, brothers, you recognize that from ancient days, God chose among us that through my mouth the nations should hear the Word of the gospel, and to believe.
8And God, the knower of hearts, testified to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us.
9And He distinguished in nothing between both us and them, having purified their hearts by faith.
10Now, therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we had strength to bear?
11But through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, according to which manner those also believed.
12And all the multitude was silent and were hearing Barnabas and Paul recounting as many things as God did through them among the nations, even the miraculous signs and wonders.
13And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men, brothers, hear me:
14Simon recounted how even as at first God oversaw to take a people out from among the nations for His name.
15And with this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written,
16After these things “I” will return and “will build again the tabernacle of David, the one having fallen,” “and I will build again the things ” being destroyed of it, and I will set it up, Amos 9:11, 12
17so that the remaining ones of men may seek the Lord, “even all the nations on whom My name has been called, says the Lord, the One doing all these things.” Amos 9:11, 12
18Known to God from eternity are all His works.
19For this reason I judge not to cause trouble to the ones from the nations turning to God,
20but to write to them to hold back from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from the strangled thing, and blood.
21For in according to a city from ancient generations Moses has the ones proclaiming him, being read in the synagogues according to every sabbath.
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with all the assembly, to send men being chosen from them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas, the one being called Barsabas, and Silas, men leading among the the brothers,
23writing by their hand these things: The apostles and the elders and the brothers, to the brothers throughout Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, the ones from the nations: Greeting.
24Since we heard that some of us going out have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, Be circumcised and keep the Law, to whom we gave no command;
25it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to send men being chosen out to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26men who have given over their souls on behalf of the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
27Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, they by word also announcing the same things.
28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to put on you no more burden except these necessary things:
29To hold back from idol sacrifices, and from blood, and from the strangled thing, and from fornication; from which carefully keeping yourselves, you will do well. Farewell.
30Then they indeed being let go, they came to Antioch. And having assembled the multitude, they delivered the letter.
31And reading it, they rejoiced at the comfort.
32And Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, exhorted the brothers through much speech, and confirmed them.
33And having made time, they were let go with peace from the brothers to the apostles.
34But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35And Paul and Barnabas spent time in Antioch, teaching and preaching the gospel, the Word of the Lord, with many others also.
36And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, Indeed, Returning, let us look after our brothers throughout every city in which we proclaimed the Word of the Lord, how they have fared.
37But Barnabas purposed to take John with them, the one being called Mark.
38But Paul thought it fitting, he having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and not going with them to the work, not to take this one with them.
39Therefore sharp contention happened, so as to be separated them from each other. And taking Mark, Barnabas sailed away to Cyprus.
40But choosing Silas, Paul went out, being given over to the grace of God by the brothers,
41and he went through Syria and Cilicia, making the assemblies strong.
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