Read the Bible

¹ And certain men came down from Judaea, and taught the brethren, that unless ye be circumcised, in accordance with the rite of the law, ye cannot have life.² And Paul and Barnabas had much trouble and disputation with them. And it resulted, that Paul and Barnabas, and others with them, went up to the legates and Elders at Jerusalem, because of this matter.³ And the church waited on them, and sent them away; and they travelled through all Phenicia and the territory of the Samaritans, narrating the conversion of the Gentiles, and causing great joy to all the brethren.⁴ And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the Elders, and by the legates; and they recounted all that God had wrought by them.⁵ And some who from the sect of the Pharisees had believed, rose up and said: It is necessary for you to circumcise them, and to command them to observe the law of Moses.

⁶ And the legates and Elders assembled, to look into this matter.⁷ And when there had been much discussion, Simon arose and said to them: Men, brethren, ye know that, from the earlier days, God chose that from my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and should believe.⁸ And God, who knoweth what is in hearts, bore testimony concerning them, and gave the Holy Spirit to them, even as to us.⁹ And he made no distinction between them and us; because he purified their hearts by faith.¹⁰ And now, why tempt ye God, by putting a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we could bear?¹¹ But we believe, that we as well as they, are to have life by the grace of our Lord Jesus Messiah.¹² And the whole assembly were silent, and listened to Paul and Barnabas, who related how God by their hands had wrought signs and prodigies among the Gentiles.¹³ And after they ceased, James arose and said: Men, brethren, hearken to me.¹⁴ Simon hath related to you, how God hath begun to elect a people for his name from among the Gentiles.¹⁵ And with this the words of the prophets accord, as it is written:¹⁶ After these things I will return, and will set up the tabernacle of David that had fallen; and will build that which was in ruins in it, and will raise it up:¹⁷ so that the residue of men may seek the Lord, and all the nations on whom my name is called; saith the Lord, who doth all these things.¹⁸ Known, from of old, are the works of God.¹⁹ Therefore I say to you, let them not crush those who from among the Gentiles have turned unto God.²⁰ But let word be sent to them, that they keep aloof from the defilement of a sacrifice [fn] , and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from blood. ²¹ For in every city, from former ages, Moses hath heralds in the synagogues, who read him every sabbath.

²²