<h3>The Jerusalem Council</h3>15 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after 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. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When 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. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” 12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,<poetry> 16 <poetry> “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, <indent> and I will restore it,</indent> </poetry> 17 <poetry>that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, <indent>and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,</indent> </poetry> 17 <poetry> says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’</indent></poetry></poetry> 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” <h3>The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers</h3> 22 Then 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 Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” 30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. <h3>Paul and Barnabas Separate</h3> 36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Acts 15:1

<cr>1</cr>But some men came down from Judea and were teaching <cr>2</cr>the brothers, “Unless you are <cr>3</cr>circumcised <cr>4</cr>according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and <cr>1</cr>debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and <cr>2</cr>some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to <cr>3</cr>the apostles and the elders about this question.

Acts 15:2

So, <cr>1</cr>being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, <cr>2</cr>describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and <cr>3</cr>brought great joy to all <cr>4</cr>the brothers.<ft>1</ft>

Acts 15:3

<cr>1</cr>When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and <cr>2</cr>the apostles and the elders, and <cr>3</cr>they declared all that God had done with them.

Acts 15:4

But some believers who belonged to <cr>1</cr>the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, <cr>2</cr>“It is necessary <cr>3</cr>to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

Acts 15:5

<cr>1</cr>The <cr>2</cr>apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

Acts 15:6

And after there had been much <cr>1</cr>debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, <cr>2</cr>that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear <cr>3</cr>the word of <cr>4</cr>the gospel and believe.

Acts 15:7

And God, <cr>1</cr>who knows the heart, <cr>2</cr>bore witness to them, <cr>3</cr>by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,

Acts 15:8

and <cr>1</cr>he made no distinction between us and them, <cr>2</cr>having cleansed their hearts <cr>3</cr>by faith.

Acts 15:9

Now, therefore, why <cr>1</cr>are you putting God to the test <cr>2</cr>by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples <cr>3</cr>that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Acts 15:10

But we <cr>1</cr>believe that we will be <cr>2</cr>saved through <cr>3</cr>the grace of the Lord Jesus, <cr>4</cr>just as they will.”

Acts 15:11

And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul <cr>1</cr>as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Acts 15:12

After they finished speaking, <cr>1</cr>James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.

Acts 15:13

<cr>1</cr>Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them <cr>2</cr>a people for his name.

Acts 15:14

And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,<pb/><poetry>

Acts 15:15

<cr>1</cr>“‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, <indent> and I will restore it,</indent>

Acts 15:16

that the remnant<ft>1</ft> of mankind <cr>1</cr>may seek the Lord, <indent>and all the Gentiles <cr>2</cr>who are called by my name,</indent>

Acts 15:17

says the Lord, who makes these things<cr>1</cr>known from of old.’</indent></poetry>

Therefore <cr>1</cr>my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who <cr>2</cr>turn to God,

Acts 15:19

but should write to them <cr>1</cr>to abstain from <cr>2</cr>the things polluted by idols, and from <cr>3</cr>sexual immorality, and from <cr>4</cr>what has been strangled, and from <cr>5</cr>blood.

Acts 15:20

For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, <cr>1</cr>for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

Acts 15:21

The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers

Acts 15:22

Then it seemed good to <cr>1</cr>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 <cr>2</cr>Barsabbas, and <cr>3</cr>Silas, leading men among <cr>4</cr>the brothers,

with the following letter: <cr>1</cr>“The brothers, both <cr>2</cr>the apostles and the elders, to the brothers<ft>1</ft> who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, <cr>3</cr>greetings.

Acts 15:23

Since we have heard that <cr>1</cr>some persons have gone out from us and <cr>2</cr>troubled you<ft>1</ft> with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,

Acts 15:24

it has seemed good to us, having come <cr>1</cr>to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our <cr>2</cr>beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Acts 15:25

<cr>1</cr>men who have <cr>2</cr>risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:26

We have therefore sent <cr>1</cr>Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.

Acts 15:27

For it has seemed good <cr>1</cr>to the Holy Spirit and <cr>2</cr>to us <cr>3</cr>to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:

Acts 15:28

<cr>1</cr>that you abstain from <cr>2</cr>what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

Acts 15:29

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

Acts 15:30

And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.

Acts 15:31

And Judas and Silas, who were themselves <cr>1</cr>prophets, encouraged and <cr>2</cr>strengthened <cr>3</cr>the brothers with many words.

Acts 15:32

And after they had spent some time, they were sent off <cr>1</cr>in peace by <cr>2</cr>the brothers to those who had sent them.<ft>1</ft>

Acts 15:33

But <cr>1</cr>Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Acts 15:35

Acts 15:36

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit <cr>1</cr>the brothers <cr>2</cr>in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”

Now Barnabas wanted to take with them <cr>1</cr>John called Mark.

Acts 15:37

But Paul thought best not to take with them one <cr>1</cr>who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.

Acts 15:38

And there arose <cr>1</cr>a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. <cr>2</cr>Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

Acts 15:39

but Paul chose Silas and departed, <cr>1</cr>having been commended by <cr>2</cr>the brothers to <cr>3</cr>the grace of the Lord.

Acts 15:40

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, <cr>1</cr>strengthening the churches.

Acts 15:41

 1  But some men came down from Judea and were teaching  the brothers, “Unless you are  circumcised  according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after 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. 3 So,  being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria,  describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and  brought great joy to all  the brothers.  4  When 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. 5 But some believers who belonged to  the party of the Pharisees rose up and said,  “It is necessary  to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” 6  The  apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much  debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you,  that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear  the word of  the gospel and believe. 8 And God,  who knows the heart,  bore witness to them,  by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and  he made no distinction between us and them,  having cleansed their hearts  by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why  are you putting God to the test  by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples  that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we  believe that we will be  saved through  the grace of the Lord Jesus,  just as they will.” 12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul  as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking,  James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14  Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them  a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,  16  “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins,  and I will restore it,  17 that the remnant  of mankind  may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles  who are called by my name,  17  says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’ 19 Therefore  my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who  turn to God, 20 but should write to them  to abstain from  the things polluted by idols, and from  sexual immorality, and from  what has been strangled, and from  blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him,  for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” 22 Then 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  Barsabbas, and  Silas, leading men among  the brothers, 23 with the following letter:  “The brothers, both  the apostles and the elders, to the brothers  who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia,  greetings. 24 Since we have heard that  some persons have gone out from us and  troubled you  with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come  to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our  beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26  men who have  risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent  Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good  to the Holy Spirit and  to us  to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29  that you abstain from  what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” 30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves  prophets, encouraged and  strengthened  the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off  in peace by  the brothers to those who had sent them.  35 But  Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit  the brothers  in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them  John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one  who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose  a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.  Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed,  having been commended by  the brothers to  the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia,  strengthening the churches.

From Wikipedia: 

The English Standard Version (ESV) is an English translation of the Bible. The ESV was published in 2001 by Crossway, having been "created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors." The ESV relies on recently published critical editions of the original Hebrew and Greek texts. Crossway claim that the ESV continues a legacy begun by the Tyndale New Testament of precision and faithfulness in English translation of the original text, followed in the same standard by "the King James Version of 1611 (KJV), the English Revised Version of 1885 (RV), the American Standard Version of 1901 (ASV), and the Revised Standard Version of 1952 and 1971." Crossway describes the ESV as a translation that "emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning." Crossway also describes the ESV as a translation that adheres to an "essentially literal" translation philosophy, taking into account "differences in grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages."

The ESV is derived from the 1971 text edition of the Revised Standard Version (RSV). ESV Translation Oversight Committee member Wayne Grudem claims that approximately eight percent (or about 60,000 words) of the 1971 RSV text being used for the ESV was revised as of first publication in 2001. Grudem states that the committee removed "every trace of liberal influence that had caused such criticism from evangelicals when the RSV was first published in 1952." Although, Grudem also states that much of the 1971 RSV text left unchanged by the committee "is simply 'the best of the best' of the KJV tradition."

With regard to gender language, the ESV Translation Oversight Committee state that "the goal of the ESV is to render literally what is in the original."[9] The committee expands on this position in claiming that, although the ESV avoids using gender-neutral language (for the purpose of preserving contextual meaning found in the original text), the translation does utilize gender-neutral language in specific cases. The committee further state that their objective was "transparency to the original text, allowing the reader to understand the original on its own terms rather than in the terms of our present-day Western culture."[9] The ESV Study Bible often details in its commentary why a complementarian interpretation of the original text may have been rendered in translation.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (5th ed., 1997); additional sources in difficult cases
NT: UBS Greek New Testament (5th corrected ed.); Novum Testamentum Graece (28th ed., 2012)

acts15 - ESV

Group of Brands