Actus Apostolorum, 15

1. Et quidam descendentes de Iudaea docebant fratres: “Nisi circumcidamini secundum morem Moysis, non potestis salvi fieri”.

1. But 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."

2. Facta autem seditione et conquisitione non minima Paulo et Barnabae adversum illos, statuerunt, ut ascenderent Paulus et Barnabas et quidam alii ex illis ad apostolos et presbyteros in Ierusalem super hac quaestione.

2. And 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.

3. Illi igitur deducti ab ecclesia pertransiebant Phoenicen et Samariam narrantes conversionem gentium et faciebant gaudium magnum omnibus fratribus.

3. So, 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.

4. Cum autem venissent Hierosolymam, suscepti sunt ab ecclesia et apostolis et presbyteris et annuntiaverunt quanta Deus fecisset cum illis.

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. Surrexerunt autem quidam de haeresi pharisaeorum, qui crediderant, dicentes: “Oportet circumcidere eos, praecipere quoque servare legem Moysis!”.

5. But 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."

6. Conveneruntque apostoli et presbyteri videre de verbo hoc.

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

7. Cum autem magna conquisitio fieret, surgens Petrus dixit ad eos: “Viri fratres, vos scitis quoniam ab antiquis diebus in vobis elegit Deus per os meum audire gentes verbum evangelii et credere;

7. And 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.

8. et qui novit corda, Deus, testimonium perhibuit illis dans Spiritum Sanctum sicut et nobis;

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

9. et nihil discrevit inter nos et illos fide purificans corda eorum.

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

10. Nunc ergo quid tentatis Deum imponere iugum super cervicem discipulorum, quod neque patres nostri neque nos portare potuimus?

10. Now 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?

11. Sed per gratiam Domini Iesu credimus salvari quemadmodum et illi”.

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

12. Tacuit autem omnis multitudo, et audiebant Barnabam et Paulum narrantes quanta fecisset Deus signa et prodigia in gentibus per eos.

12. And 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.

13. Et postquam tacuerunt, respondit Iacobus dicens: “Viri fratres, audite me.

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

14. Simeon narravit quemadmodum primum Deus visitavit sumere ex gentibus populum nomini suo;

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

15. et huic concordant verba Prophetarum, sicut scriptum est:

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

16. “Post haec revertar et reaedificabo tabernaculum David, quod decidit, et diruta eius reaedificabo et erigam illud.

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,

17. ut requirant reliqui hominum Dominum et omnes gentes, super quas invocatum est nomen meum, dicit Dominus faciens haec

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

18. nota a saeculo”.

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

19. Propter quod ego iudico non inquietari eos, qui ex gentibus convertuntur ad Deum,

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

20. sed scribere ad eos, ut abstineant se a contaminationibus simulacrorum et fornicatione et suffocato et sanguine.

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

21. Moyses enim a generationibus antiquis habet in singulis civitatibus, qui eum praedicent in synagogis, ubi per omne sabbatum legitur”.

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

22. Tunc placuit apostolis et presbyteris cum omni ecclesia electos viros ex eis mittere Antiochiam cum Paulo et Barnaba: Iudam, qui cognominatur Barsabbas, et Silam, viros primos in fratribus,

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 Barsab'bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,

23. scribentes per manum eorum: “Apostoli et presbyteri fratres his, qui sunt Antiochiae et Syriae et Ciliciae, fratribus ex gentibus, salutem!

23. with 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.

24. Quoniam audivimus quia quidam ex nobis, quibus non mandavimus, exeuntes turbaverunt vos verbis evertentes animas vestras,

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

25. placuit nobis collectis in unum eligere viros et mittere ad vos cum carissimis nobis Barnaba et Paulo,

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. hominibus, qui tradiderunt animas suas pro nomine Domini nostri Iesu Christi.

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

27. Misimus ergo Iudam et Silam, qui et ipsi verbis referent eadem.

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

28. Visum est enim Spiritui Sancto et nobis nihil ultra imponere vobis oneris quam haec necessario:

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

29. abstinere ab idolothytis et sanguine et suffocatis et fornicatione; a quibus custodientes vos bene agetis. Valete”.

29. that 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."

30. Illi igitur dimissi descenderunt Antiochiam et, congregata multitudine, tradiderunt epistulam;

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

31. quam cum legissent, gavisi sunt super consolatione.

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

32. Iudas quoque et Silas, cum et ipsi essent prophetae, verbo plurimo consolati sunt fratres et confirmaverunt.

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

33. Facto autem tempore, dimissi sunt cum pace a fratribus ad eos, qui miserant illos.

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

34. Paulus autem et Barnabas demorabantur Antiochiae docentes et evangelizantes cum aliis pluribus verbum Domini.

34.

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

36. Post aliquot autem dies dixit ad Barnabam Paulus: “Revertentes visitemus fratres per universas civitates, in quibus praedicavimus verbum Domini, quomodo se habeant”.

36. And 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."

37. Barnabas autem volebat secum assumere et Ioannem, qui cognominatur Marcus;

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

38. Paulus autem iudicabat eum, qui discessisset ab eis a Pamphylia et non isset cum eis in opus, non debere recipi eum.

38. But 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.

39. Facta est autem exacerbatio, ita ut discederent ab invicem, et Barnabas, assumpto Marco, navigaret Cyprum.

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

40. Paulus vero, electo Sila, profectus est, traditus gratiae Domini a fratribus;

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

41. perambulabat autem Syriam et Ciliciam confirmans ecclesias.

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