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Acts 15:22-41
New Life Version
Acts 15:22-41
New Life Version
22 Then the missionaries and the church leaders and the whole church chose some men from among them. They were to be sent to the city of Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas. These men were leaders among the Christians.
23 They sent them with this letter: “The missionaries and church leaders and Christians greet the brothers who are not Jews in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. 24 We have heard that some from our group have troubled you and have put doubt in your minds. They said that you must go through the religious act of becoming a Jew and you must keep the Law of Moses. We did not tell them to say these things. 25 All of us have wanted to send men to you with our much-loved Paul and Barnabas. 26 Their lives have been in danger for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 So now we send Judas and Silas to you. They will tell you the same things. 28 It pleased the Holy Spirit and us to ask you to do nothing more than these things that have to be done. 29 You are to keep away from everything that is given to gods. Do not eat blood or meat from animals that have been killed in ways against the Law. Keep away from sex sins. If you keep yourselves free from these things you will do well. Good-by.”
The Missionaries Go Back to Antioch
30 When the meeting was finished, they went to Antioch. As soon as they gathered the people together, they gave them the letter. 31 When they read it, they were glad for the comfort and strength it brought them. 32 Judas and Silas were preachers also. They preached to the Christians and helped them to become stronger in the faith.
33 They were there for some time. Then they were sent back in peace to the missionaries who had sent them. 34 But Silas thought he should stay there. 35 Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. With the help of many others, they preached and taught the Word of God.
Paul Starts Out the Second Time
36 After awhile, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the Christians in every city where we have preached the Word of God. Let us see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them. 38 Paul did not think it was good to take him because he had left them while they were in Pamphylia. He had not helped them in the work. 39 They argued so much that they left each other. Barnabas took John Mark with him and went by ship to the island of Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas. After the Christians asked for the Lord’s favor to be on Paul and Silas, they went on their way. 41 They went through Syria and Cilicia making the churches stronger in the faith.
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Acts 15:22-41
New International Version
Acts 15:22-41
New International Version
The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers
22 Then the apostles and elders,(A) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch(B) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,(C) men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:
The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch,(D) Syria(E) and Cilicia:(F)
Greetings.(G)
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.(H) 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives(I) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas(J) to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit(K) and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.(L) You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas,(M) who themselves were prophets,(N) said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace(O) to return to those who had sent them. [34] [a] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached(P) the word of the Lord.(Q)
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns(R) where we preached the word of the Lord(S) and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,(T) with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them(U) in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas(V) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.(W) 41 He went through Syria(X) and Cilicia,(Y) strengthening the churches.(Z)
Footnotes
- Acts 15:34 Some manuscripts include here But Silas decided to remain there.
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