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Acts

Describes the early Christian church's formation and spread, from Jerusalem to Rome, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 15

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1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

*Some men from Judea taught the believers and said, You must be circumcised like in Moses' way, or you can't be saved.

2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

*When Paul and Barnabas argued with others and had a disagreement, they decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some others would go to Jerusalem to talk to the leaders about their issue.

3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

*The church helped them travel, so they went through Phenice and Samaria, telling everyone about non-Jews becoming believers. This made all the believers very happy.

4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

*When they arrived in Jerusalem, the church, along with the apostles and elders, welcomed them. They then shared everything that God had done with them.

5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

*Some Pharisees believed that new believers needed to be circumcised and follow Moses' laws.

6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

*The apostles and leaders met to discuss this issue.

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

*After a lot of arguing, Peter stood up and told everyone, "Guys, you know that a long time ago God chose me to share the good news with non-Jews through my words, so they can believe it."

8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

*And God, who knows people's thoughts, showed approval by giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did for us.

9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

*Don't treat us differently from them; clean their hearts with belief.

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

*So, why are you testing God by adding a heavy burden to the disciples' shoulders that both our ancestors and us couldn't handle?

11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

*But we believe that because of the LORD Jesus Christ's kindness, we will be saved, just like them.

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

*Then everyone was quiet and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they talked about the amazing things God did for non-Jews through them.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

*Then, when everyone was quiet, James spoke up, saying to the people, "Listen to me, dear friends."

14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

*Simeon said that God first chose some people from the Gentiles to be named after him.

15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

*And the prophets' words also confirm this; as it says in writing,

16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

*Afterward, I will come back and rebuild the David's shelter, which has collapsed. I will fix the broken parts and make it strong again.

17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

*So that the rest of people search for the Lord, and all non-Jews with my name, the Lord says this, who does everything mentioned.

18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

*God knows every action he has ever created since the world began.

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

*So, my decision is to not disturb those who have left the non-believers to follow God.

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

*But when we write to them, we tell them to avoid the impurities of idols, not to have sexual sins, stay away from eating things that were strangled, and not to consume blood.

21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

*In the past, Moses is remembered in cities where people talk about him. They read about him in Jewish meetings on Saturdays.

22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

*Then, the apostles, elders, and the entire church were happy to send selected people from their group with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They chose Judas, also called Barsabas, and Silas, who were important leaders among the believers.

23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

*The apostles, elders, and other believers send their best wishes to the fellow believers living in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia who were from non-Jewish backgrounds.

24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

*Since we heard that some from our group caused you trouble with their words, confusing your beliefs, saying you must be circumcised and follow the law - we never told them to do this.

25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

*It made sense to us, all together in agreement, to send special people to you along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul.

26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

*People who risked their lives for the sake of Jesus Christ.

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

*We sent Judas and Silas to tell you these things in person.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

*It seemed right to the Holy Spirit and to us not to give you any extra work beyond these essential things.

29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

*Avoid eating meat sacrificed to false gods, stay away from blood, avoid eating animals that were strangulated, and don't engage in immoral acts. If you follow these rules, you'll be doing the right thing. Have a good day.

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

*So after they left, they went to Antioch. When they got everyone together, they gave them the message.

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

*When they read it, they were happy because it comforted them.

32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

*Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the believers with a lot of talking and strengthened them.

33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

*After spending some time there, they were allowed to leave in peace by the brothers and then went to the apostles.

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

*Despite that, Silas wanted to stay there for a while longer.

35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

*Paul and Barnabas kept teaching and sharing God's message in Antioch, along with many other people.

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.

*A few days later, Paul told Barnabas, "Let's go back to the cities where we shared God's message and check on our friends, seeing how they are doing."

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

*Barnabas decided to bring along John, also known as Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

*But Paul didn't want to bring along the man from Pamphylia who left them and didn't join them in their mission.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

*The disagreement was so strong that they separated, and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

*Paul selected Silas and left, having been suggested by fellow believers for God's kindness.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

*He traveled to Syria and Cilicia, checking on and supporting the churches there.

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