Acts 15 Later, certain men, having come down from Judea, began teaching the brothers that, "Unless you folks should (or: would) get circumcised within (or: by) the custom of Moses D reads: and should habitually walk (= order your lives) in (by) the custom of Moses, you continue without power to be saved (or: you continue unable to be healed, made whole or returned to the original state and condition)."

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Later, certain men, having come down from Judea, began teaching the brothers that, "Unless you folks should (or: would) get circumcised within (or: by) the custom of Moses [D reads: and should habitually walk (= order your lives) in (by) the custom of Moses], you continue without power to be saved (or: you continue unable to be healed, made whole or returned to the original state and condition)." ² But [p74, A & others: Therefore] with there coming to be no little occurrence of taking positions (making stands in the dissension) as well as of debating, disputing and seeking a resolution [to the question] by (or: with; or: to) Paul and Barnabas, face to face with them, they made arrangements for Paul and Barnabas – and certain others from among them – to now go up unto Jerusalem, to the sent-forth folks and older men concerning the effect of this seeking (or: about this question) [D reads: ... face to face with them, for Paul, insisting firmly, continued telling {them} to remain thus, according as they had believed. Yet the men who had come from Jerusalem passed on instruction to them for Paul and Barnabas – and some other folks – to now go up to face the sent-forth ones, even {the} elders, in Jerusalem so that they could have a decision made upon them about this matter in question]. ³ Accordingly (or: Indeed, therefore), after being sent forward (or: = being helped forward [on their journey]; or: being escorted [part way]) by the called-out community, they themselves continued passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, repeatedly relating in detail the turning about (= the conversion) of the ethnic multitudes (the non-Jews; the [people] of the nations). And thus they continued producing (making; causing; creating) great joy for (in; to) all the brothers (= fellow believers). ⁴ Now on having come to be alongside (= upon arriving) into the midst of Jerusalem, they were welcomely received as part of the group by the called-out community – even the sent-forth folks, including the older men (or: the elders) – and so they recounted (or: reported) whatever (or: as many things as) God had done in accompaniment with them. ⁵ Yet certain men from the sect of the Pharisees – being ones who had believed and were now trusting – stood up out of the midst, [as a group] saying that it continues binding and necessary for them [i.e., the non-Jews] to continue with circumcision, besides to continue to be observing the Law of Moses. ⁶ So the sent-forth folks and older men (or: elders) were gathered together to see about this idea (expressed thought; word; = matter). ⁷ Now after there coming to be much seeking [of a solution], questioning and disputing, Peter – after standing up – said to them, "Men! Brothers! You yourselves continue well versed (standing upon so as to comprehend) that from the days of the beginning God chose among you folks [for] the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; non-Jews) to hear the Logos (Word; idea; message) of the good news (the message of goodness, ease and well-being) through my mouth – and then, to at once trust and believe! ⁸ "And God, One who knows (or: has insights into) the heart by intimate experience, has given evidence for (or: bore witness to; gave testimony in) them in (or: when) giving the set-apart Breath-effect (or: the Holy Spirit) to [D reads: upon] them, just as [He did] to us, also! ⁹ "Furthermore, He made not even one separation of any kind (or: He made a distinction in nothing; or: He makes no dividing decision in even one thing) between both us and them, at once cleansing (or: purifying) their hearts by faith (with trust; in The Faithfulness [of Christ]; to and for convinced reliance)! ¹⁰ "Therefore, why are you folks at this time (or: now) continuing to test (or: constantly trying; repeatedly examining and attempting to prove) God [by attempting] to put (place; set) upon the neck of the students (disciples) a yoke which neither our fathers (= ancestors) were, nor we ourselves are, strong enough [even] to pick up, [much less] to carry? ¹¹ "But to the contrary, through the grace and gratuitous favor of the Lord (or: Owner) Jesus [C, D & others add: Christ] (or: which has its source and character in [Yahweh] – Jesus; or: which is the Lord Jesus) we continue trusting and believing to at once be delivered or rescued or saved or made whole, in accordance with which manner those people also [are] (or: But rather, we ourselves habitually trust to be wholly restored to health and returned to our original state and condition, through the joyous grace which has the character and qualities of Jesus, the Lord – in the same way as those folks [were], also)." ¹² So [D adds: with the older men (or: elders) now accepting and consenting to the things having been spoken by Peter,] the entire multitude became silent, and they began listening to Barnabas and Paul progressively unfolding and leading [the folks] out, [through] a description of whatever (or: however many) signs and miracles (wonders; portents) [which] God did among the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; non-Jews) through them. ¹³ Now after the [time for] them to become silent, Jacob (or: James) [D adds: upon arising] discerningly responded, presently saying, "Men! Brothers! Hear (or: Listen to) me! ¹⁴ "Simeon led [us] out and unfolded, relating in detail, how God first (or: first of all; in the first [place]) made a visit (and: took an attentive look characterized by complete care) to at one point take from out of the midst of the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; folks who were non-Jews) a people for His Name (= as His representatives and for His glory; or: by His Name [= power and authority]; in His Name [= possession and realm of being]; with His Name [= character and reputation]; to His Name). ¹⁵ "And with this [D reads: thus] the words (or: messages) of the Prophets (= the writings of those who had light ahead of time) continue sounding together in agreement and symphony, just as it has been – and stands – written, ¹⁶ 'After these things I will proceed turning back again (or: return), and I will progressively build back up again (rebuild as a house) the tent (or: tabernacle) of David – the one having fallen down. Then I will continue building back up again (rebuild as a house) its things having been turned upside down – also I will keep on making it straight and erect again ¹⁷ 'so that the rest of humanity would seek out and earnestly try to find the Lord [= Yahweh] – even all the ethnic multitudes (nations; non-Jews), upon whom My Name has been called on: upon them, continues saying [the] Lord [= Yahweh] – the One constantly doing these things.' [Amos 9:11-12] ¹⁸ " [These have been] known from an indefinite period of time (from [the] age) by insight and experience. [or: with other MSS: "Known in (or: with; or: to; by) the Lord {= Yahweh or Christ}, by intimate experience and insight from the indefinite past, are His deeds and works.] ¹⁹ "Hence (or: Because of which), I myself am now judging and deciding not to continue making it more difficult for, or to be troubling or harassing, the folks from the ethnic multitudes (the nations; the non-Jews) [who] are progressively turning upon (= turning around to) God, ²⁰ "however (or: but yet), to send word by a letter for them to be habitually holding themselves away from (constantly abstaining from) the effects of ceremonial pollution from (or: belonging and pertaining to) the idols – as well as from the prostitution ([note: may also have reference to temple idol worship]; or: sexual immorality; [p45 omits this phrase]) – and from [something that was] strangled [i.e., where the blood was not drained out], also from blood [comment: these were prohibitions from the Law, in Lev. 17 & 18; D adds: Also, whatever you would not normally want to be happening to yourselves, do not do to others]. ²¹ "For you see, Moses – from out of [the] original (beginning; = ancient) generations – continually has folks repeatedly making public proclamation of him, in city after city within the synagogues, being habitually read aloud in correspondence with every sabbath." ²² At that point it seemed [good; favorable] to the sent-forth folks and the older men (or: elders), together with the whole called-out community, to send adult men – folks picked out (or: chosen; selected; spoken-forth) from among their midst – into Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas, [namely], Judah – the one normally being called Barsabbas – and Silas (probably = Silvanus), men normally taking the lead among the brothers (= fellow believers), ²³ after writing [D adds: a letter] by their hand [D adds: presently containing this]: " [From:] The emissaries (sent-forth folks) and the older men (or: the elders) – brothers (or: the older brothers; [other MSS: as well as the brothers {= fellow believers; = your brothers}]), To: The brothers down in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia – to those from out of the ethnic multitudes (nations; non-Jews) – to continue to be rejoicing! (= Greetings!) ²⁴ "Since we hear (or: heard) that certain folks going out from among us disturbed (agitated; troubled; perplexed) you folks with words (or: by messages; in thoughts) progressively dismantling (breaking up the camp of; bankrupting by removing the furniture of; remodeling) your inner lives (souls) – to whom we of ourselves gave no distinctive decision, thorough arrangement, determined instruction or assignment – ²⁵ "in coming to be like-minded (of one accord; unanimous), it seemed [good; productive] to us, by choosing men out from ourselves, to send [them] to you, together with our beloved Barnabas and Paul: ²⁶ "men having given over (= dedicated) their souls (inner lives: will, desire, intellect – and very breath) over (= for the sake of) the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ ([the] Anointed One). ²⁷ "Therefore we have sent off (dispatched with a mission) Judah and Silas, and so they themselves are now reporting the same things verbally (by word) [to you]. ²⁸ "You see, it seemed [good; productive] to the set-apart Breath-effect (or: in the Holy Spirit) and to (or: among) us to have not even one more burden to be placed upon you folks – besides these necessary and essential things: ²⁹ "to habitually abstain and hold yourselves away from idol sacrifices (or: things [i.e., foods] sacrificed to idols) and from blood, and from things that were strangled, and from sexual immorality (fornication; prostitution; = infidelity) – out from which things, by practice carefully keeping and habitually thoroughly guarding yourselves, you folks will perform well (be well-engaged; prosper) [D reads: and whatever you do not normally wish or purpose for yourselves to progressively become or to have happen, do not keep on doing to other folks, {and} from which things in continuously keeping yourselves thoroughly {away}, commit acts of ease and well-being, being folks constantly carried along within the set-apart Breath-effect (or: the holy wind; the Holy Spirit)]. Be ones having been strengthened and made firm (or: = Good health to you)!" ³⁰ Therefore accordingly upon being released away (= dismissed), [D adds: in a few days] these men went down into Antioch and – after gathering the multitude together – they handed the letter [to them]. ³¹ So, upon reading [it], they burst into rejoicing at the helpful and encouraging [message] of comfort and relief. ³² Both Judah and Silas – they also being prophets – assisted, gave relief to, comforted and encouraged the brothers (= fellow believers; members) through much discourse, and they established [them] (or: they helped and made the brothers to settle and rest upon [the Logos; the Word] through many a word, thought and idea). ³³ Then, having performed (= after spending) a period of time, they were released away – with peace (or: harmony; = shalom) from the brothers – to the folks having sent them off on the mission. ³⁴ [missing in most MSS, but C D and others add, by parts, this conflation: Yet Silas decided to remain on with them, and Judah continued on his way alone unto Jerusalem.] ³⁵ However Paul and Barnabas continued spending time in Antioch, constantly teaching and repeatedly bringing the good news – declaring the Logos (Word) of the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh]: the message of ease and well-being – along with many different folks, also. ³⁶ Now after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, "In returning (= retracing our journey), doubtless we can and should visit and look in on the brothers, city by city, in every one in which we brought the message down, and announced the Logos of the Lord (or: the Word of [Yahweh]; the idea of the [Christ]; the message from the Lord), [to see] how they continue holding [it] (or: how they progressively have [it]; or: = how they are now getting on)." ³⁷ However, Barnabas kept on wanting – and stuck with intending – to take along together with [them] also John, the one normally being called Mark. ³⁸ Yet Paul kept on thinking it not fitting (of appropriate worth) to continue taking along with them this one – the person having withdrawn from them, away from Pamphylia, and not going together with them into the work [D adds: into which they were sent]. ³⁹ So there occurred a sharp dispute, with the result for them to at once be pulled apart and disunited from one another. And thus at that point Barnabas, taking along Mark, set sail unto Cyprus. ⁴⁰ But Paul, choosing for himself Silas, went forth from [their] midst, being given over (= entrusted) to the grace and favor of [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh; p45 C E and others read: God] by the brothers. ⁴¹ And so he continued passing on through Syria and Cilicia, progressively establishing the called-out communities [D adds: while one by one passing on the goals/directives from the older folks].