Acts 15 :: Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Council at Jerusalem

Act 15:1But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."

Act 15:2

Act 15:2And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

Act 15:3

Act 15:3So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoeni'cia and Sama'ria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren.

Act 15:4

Act 15:4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.

Act 15:5

Act 15:5But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses."

Act 15:6

Act 15:6The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

Act 15:7

Act 15:7And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

Act 15:8

Act 15:8And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us;

Act 15:9

Act 15:9and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith.

Act 15:10

Act 15:10Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Act 15:11

Act 15:11But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."

Act 15:12

Act 15:12And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

James's Judgment

Act 15:13

Act 15:13After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brethren, listen to me.

Act 15:14

Act 15:14Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Act 15:15

Act 15:15And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written,

Act 15:16

Act 15:16'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up,

Act 15:17

Act 15:17that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,

Act 15:18

Act 15:18says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.'

Act 15:19

Act 15:19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,

Act 15:20

Act 15:20but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood.

Act 15:21

Act 15:21For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues."

Act 15:22

Act 15:22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsab'bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,

Act 15:23

Act 15:23with the following letter: "The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cili'cia, greeting.

Act 15:24

Act 15:24Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,

Act 15:25

Act 15:25it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Act 15:26

Act 15:26men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Act 15:27

Act 15:27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.

Act 15:28

Act 15:28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

Act 15:29

Act 15:29that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."

Act 15:30

Act 15:30So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.

Act 15:31

Act 15:31And when they read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation.

Act 15:32

Act 15:32And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words and strengthened them.

Act 15:33

Act 15:33And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brethren to those who had sent them.

Act 15:34

Act 15:34Other ancient authorities insert verse 34, But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.

Act 15:35

Act 15:35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Second Missionary Journey

Act 15:36

Act 15:36And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Come, let us return and visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."

Act 15:37

Act 15:37And Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.

Act 15:38

Act 15:38But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphyl'ia, and had not gone with them to the work.

Act 15:39

Act 15:39And there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

Act 15:40

Act 15:40but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

Act 15:41

Act 15:41And he went through Syria and Cili'cia, strengthening the churches.

RSV Footnotes

(15:34)

Other ancient authorities insert verse 34, [But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.]

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Source: Transcribed from: The Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version containing the Old and New Testaments, translated from the original tongues: being the version set forth A.D. 1611, revised A.D. 1881-1885 and A.D. 1901: compared with the most ancient authorities and revised A.D. 1946-52. — 2nd ed. of New Testament A.D. 1971. There should be enough in the rest of the description to identify the text.

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Pericope

Acts Chapter 15 — Additional Translations:

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