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1. It wasn't long before some Jews showed up from Judea insisting that everyone be circumcised: "If you're not circumcised in the Mosaic fashion, you can't be saved."
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1. And G2532 certain men G5100 which came down G2718 from G575 Judea G2449 taught G1321 the G3588 brethren G80 , and said, Except G3362 ye be circumcised G4059 after the G3588 manner G1485 of Moses G3475 , ye cannot G1410 G3756 be saved G4982 .
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2. Paul and Barnabas were up on their feet at once in fierce protest. The church decided to resolve the matter by sending Paul, Barnabas, and a few others to put it before the apostles and leaders in Jerusalem.
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2. When therefore G3767 Paul G3972 and G2532 Barnabas G921 had G1096 no G3756 small G3641 dissension G4714 and G2532 disputation G4803 with G4314 them G846 , they determined G5021 that Paul G3972 and G2532 Barnabas G921 , and G2532 certain G5100 other G243 of G1537 them G846 , should go up G305 to G1519 Jerusalem G2419 unto G4314 the G3588 apostles G652 and G2532 elders G4245 about G4012 this G5127 question G2213 .
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3. After they were sent off and on their way, they told everyone they met as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria about the breakthrough to the Gentile outsiders. Everyone who heard the news cheered--it was terrific news!
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3. And G3767 being G3303 brought on their way G4311 by G5259 the G3588 church G1577 , they G3588 passed through G1330 Phoenicia G5403 and G2532 Samaria G4540 , declaring G1555 the G3588 conversion G1995 of the G3588 Gentiles G1484 : and G2532 they caused G4160 great G3173 joy G5479 unto all G3956 the G3588 brethren G80 .
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4. When they got to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas were graciously received by the whole church, including the apostles and leaders. They reported on their recent journey and how God had used them to open things up to the outsiders.
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4. And G1161 when they were come G3854 to G1519 Jerusalem G2419 , they were received G588 of G5259 the G3588 church G1577 , and G2532 of the G3588 apostles G652 and G2532 elders G4245 , and G5037 they declared G312 all things that G3745 God G2316 had done G4160 with G3326 them G846 .
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5. Some Pharisees stood up to say their piece. They had become believers, but continued to hold to the hard party line of the Pharisees. "You have to circumcise the pagan converts," they said. "You must make them keep the Law of Moses."
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5. But G1161 there rose up G1817 certain G5100 of G575 the G3588 sect G139 of the G3588 Pharisees G5330 which believed G4100 , saying G3004 , That G3754 it was needful G1163 to circumcise G4059 them G846 , and G5037 to command G3853 them to keep G5083 the G3588 law G3551 of Moses G3475 .
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6. The apostles and leaders called a special meeting to consider the matter.
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6. And G1161 the G3588 apostles G652 and G2532 elders G4245 came together G4863 for to consider G1492 of G4012 this G5127 matter G3056 .
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7. The arguments went on and on, back and forth, getting more and more heated. Then Peter took the floor: "Friends, you well know that from early on God made it quite plain that he wanted the pagans to hear the Message of this good news and embrace it--and not in any secondhand or roundabout way, but firsthand, straight from my mouth.
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7. And G1161 when there had been G1096 much G4183 disputing G4803 , Peter G4074 rose up G450 , and said G2036 unto G4314 them G846 , Men G435 and brethren G80 , ye G5210 know G1987 how that G3754 a good while ago G575 G744 G2250 God G2316 made choice G1586 among G1722 us G2254 , that the G3588 Gentiles G1484 by G1223 my G3450 mouth G4750 should hear G191 the G3588 word G3056 of the G3588 gospel G2098 , and G2532 believe G4100 .
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8. And God, who can't be fooled by any pretense on our part but always knows a person's thoughts, gave them the Holy Spirit exactly as he gave him to us.
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8. And G2532 God G2316 , which knoweth the hearts G2589 , bare them witness G3140 G846 , giving G1325 them G846 the G3588 Holy G40 Ghost G4151 , even as G2531 he did G2532 unto us G2254 ;
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9. He treated the outsiders exactly as he treated us, beginning at the very center of who they were and working from that center outward, cleaning up their lives as they trusted and believed him.
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9. And G2532 put no difference G1252 G3762 between G3342 G5037 us G2257 and G2532 them G846 , purifying G2511 their G846 hearts G2588 by faith G4102 .
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10. "So why are you now trying to out-god God, loading these new believers down with rules that crushed our ancestors and crushed us, too?
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10. Now G3568 therefore G3767 why G5101 tempt G3985 ye God G2316 , to put G2007 a yoke G2218 upon G1909 the G3588 neck G5137 of the G3588 disciples G3101 , which G3739 neither G3777 our G2257 fathers G3962 nor G3777 we G2249 were able G2480 to bear G941 ?
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11. Don't we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us just as he did those from beyond our nation? So what are we arguing about?"
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11. But G235 we believe G4100 that through G1223 the G3588 grace G5485 of the G3588 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 we shall be saved G4982 , even as they G2596 G3739 G5158 G2548 .
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12. There was dead silence. No one said a word. With the room quiet, Barnabas and Paul reported matter-of-factly on the miracles and wonders God had done among the other nations through their ministry.
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12. Then G1161 all G3956 the G3588 multitude G4128 kept silence G4601 , and G2532 gave audience G191 to Barnabas G921 and G2532 Paul G3972 , declaring G1834 what G3745 miracles G4592 and G2532 wonders G5059 God G2316 had wrought G4160 among G1722 the G3588 Gentiles G1484 by G1223 them G846 .
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13. The silence deepened; you could hear a pin drop. James broke the silence. "Friends, listen.
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13. And G1161 after they G846 had held their peace G4601 , James G2385 answered G611 , saying G3004 , Men G435 and brethren G80 , hearken G191 unto me G3450 :
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14. Simeon has told us the story of how God at the very outset made sure that racial outsiders were included.
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14. Simeon G4826 hath declared G1834 how G2531 God G2316 at the first G4412 did visit G1980 the Gentiles G1484 , to take G2983 out of G1537 them a people G2992 for G1909 his G848 name G3686 .
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15. This is in perfect agreement with the words of the prophets:
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15. And G2532 to this G5129 agree G4856 the G3588 words G3056 of the G3588 prophets G4396 ; as G2531 it is written G1125 ,
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16. After this, I'm coming back; I'll rebuild David's ruined house; I'll put all the pieces together again; I'll make it look like new
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16. After G3326 this G5023 I will return G390 , and G2532 will build again G456 the G3588 tabernacle G4633 of David G1138 , which is fallen down G4098 ; and G2532 I will build again G456 the G3588 ruins G2679 thereof G846 , and G2532 I will set it up G461 G846 :
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17. So outsiders who seek will find, so they'll have a place to come to, All the pagan peoples included in what I'm doing. "God said it and now he's doing it.
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17. That G3704 the G3588 residue G2645 of men G444 might seek after G1567 G302 the G3588 Lord G2962 , and G2532 all G3956 the G3588 Gentiles G1484 , upon G1909 whom G3739 my G3450 name G3686 is called G1941 , saith G3004 G846 the Lord G2962 , who doeth G4160 all G3956 these things G5023 .
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18. It's no afterthought; he's always known he would do this.
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18. Known G1110 unto God G2316 are G2076 all G3956 his G848 works G2041 from G575 the beginning of the world G165 .
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19. "So here is my decision: We're not going to unnecessarily burden non-Jewish people who turn to the Master.
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19. Wherefore G1352 my G1473 sentence is G2919 , that we trouble G3926 not G3361 them , which from G575 among the G3588 Gentiles G1484 are turned G1994 to G1909 God G2316 :
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20. We'll write them a letter and tell them, 'Be careful to not get involved in activities connected with idols, to guard the morality of sex and marriage, to not serve food offensive to Jewish Christians--blood, for instance.'
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20. But G235 that we write G1989 unto them G846 , that they abstain G567 from G575 pollutions G234 of idols G1497 , and G2532 from fornication G4202 , and G2532 from things strangled G4156 , and G2532 from blood G129 .
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21. This is basic wisdom from Moses, preached and honored for centuries now in city after city as we have met and kept the Sabbath."
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21. For G1063 Moses G3475 of old time G1537 G744 G1074 hath G2192 in every city G2596 G4172 them that preach G2784 him G846 , being read G314 in G1722 the G3588 synagogues G4864 every G2596 G3956 sabbath day G4521 .
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22. Everyone agreed: apostles, leaders, all the people. They picked Judas (nicknamed Barsabbas) and Silas--they both carried considerable weight in the church--and sent them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas
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22. Then G5119 pleased G1380 it the G3588 apostles G652 and G2532 elders G4245 , with G4862 the G3588 whole G3650 church G1577 , to send G3992 chosen G1586 men G435 of G1537 their own company G846 to G1519 Antioch G490 with G4862 Paul G3972 and G2532 Barnabas G921 : namely, Judas G2455 surnamed G1941 Barsabas G923 , and G2532 Silas G4609 , chief G2233 men G435 among G1722 the G3588 brethren G80 :
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23. with this letter: From the apostles and leaders, your friends, to our friends in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Hello!
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23. And they wrote G1125 letters by G1223 them G848 after this manner G3592 ; The G3588 apostles G652 and elders G4245 and G2532 brethren G80 send greeting G5463 unto the G3588 brethren G80 which G3588 are of G1537 the Gentiles G1484 in G2596 Antioch G490 and G2532 Syria G4947 and G2532 Cilicia G2791 .
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24. We heard that some men from our church went to you and said things that confused and upset you. Mind you, they had no authority from us; we didn't send them.
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24. Forasmuch as G1894 we have heard G191 , that G3754 certain G5100 which went out G1831 from G1537 us G2257 have troubled G5015 you G5209 with words G3056 , subverting G384 your G5216 souls G5590 , saying G3004 , Ye must be circumcised G4059 , and G2532 keep G5083 the G3588 law G3551 : to whom G3739 we gave no such commandment G1291 G3756 :
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25. We have agreed unanimously to pick representatives and send them to you with our good friends Barnabas and Paul.
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25. It seemed good G1380 unto us G2254 , being assembled G1096 with one accord G3661 , to send G3992 chosen G1586 men G435 unto G4314 you G5209 with G4862 our G2257 beloved G27 Barnabas G921 and G2532 Paul G3972 ,
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26. We picked men we knew you could trust, Judas and Silas--they've looked death in the face time and again for the sake of our Master Jesus Christ.
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26. Men G444 that have hazarded G3860 their G848 lives G5590 for G5228 the G3588 name G3686 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 .
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27. We've sent them to confirm in a face-to-face meeting with you what we've written.
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27. We have sent G649 therefore G3767 Judas G2455 and G2532 Silas G4609 , who G846 shall also G2532 tell G518 you the G3588 same things G846 by mouth G1223 G3056 .
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28. It seemed to the Holy Spirit and to us that you should not be saddled with any crushing burden, but be responsible only for these bare necessities:
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28. For G1063 it seemed good G1380 to the G3588 Holy G40 Ghost G4151 , and G2532 to us G2254 , to lay G2007 upon you G5213 no G3367 greater G4119 burden G922 than G4133 these G5130 necessary things G1876 ;
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29. Be careful not to get involved in activities connected with idols; avoid serving food offensive to Jewish Christians (blood, for instance); and guard the morality of sex and marriage. These guidelines are sufficient to keep relations congenial between us. And God be with you!
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29. That ye abstain G567 from meats offered to idols G1494 , and G2532 from blood G129 , and G2532 from things strangled G4156 , and G2532 from fornication G4202 : from G1537 which G3739 if ye keep G1301 yourselves G1438 , ye shall do G4238 well G2095 , Fare ye well G4517 .
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30. And so off they went to Antioch. On arrival, they gathered the church and read the letter.
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30. So G3767 when they G3588 were G3303 dismissed G630 , they came G2064 to G1519 Antioch G490 : and G2532 when they had gathered the multitude together G4863 G3588 G4128 , they delivered G1929 the G3588 epistle G1992 :
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31. The people were greatly relieved and pleased.
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31. Which when G1161 they had read G314 , they rejoiced G5463 for G1909 the G3588 consolation G3874 .
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32. Judas and Silas, good preachers both of them, strengthened their new friends with many words of courage and hope.
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32. And G5037 Judas G2455 and G2532 Silas G4609 , being G5607 prophets G4396 also G2532 themselves G848 , exhorted G3870 the G3588 brethren G80 with G1223 many G4183 words G3056 , and G2532 confirmed G1991 them.
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33. Then it was time to go home. They were sent off by their new friends with laughter and embraces all around to report back to those who had sent them.
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33. And G1161 after they had tarried G4160 there a space G5550 , they were let go G630 in G3326 peace G1515 from G575 the G3588 brethren G80 unto G4314 the G3588 apostles G652 .
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34. (OMITTED TEXT)
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34. Notwithstanding G1161 it pleased G1380 Silas G4609 to abide G1961 there G847 still.
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35. Paul and Barnabas stayed on in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of God. But they weren't alone. There were a number of teachers and preachers at that time in Antioch.
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35. Paul G3972 also G1161 and G2532 Barnabas G921 continued G1304 in G1722 Antioch G490 , teaching G1321 and G2532 preaching G2097 the G3588 word G3056 of the G3588 Lord G2962 , with G3326 many G4183 others G2087 also G2532 .
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36. After a few days of this, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit all our friends in each of the towns where we preached the Word of God. Let's see how they're doing."
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36. And G1161 some G5100 days G2250 after G3326 Paul G3972 said G2036 unto G4314 Barnabas G921 , Let us go again G1994 G1211 and visit G1980 our G2257 brethren G80 in G2596 every G3956 city G4172 where G1722 G3739 we have preached G2605 the G3588 word G3056 of the G3588 Lord G2962 , and see how G4459 they do G2192 .
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37. Barnabas wanted to take John along, the John nicknamed Mark.
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37. And G1161 Barnabas G921 determined G1011 to take with G4838 them John G2491 , whose surname was G2564 Mark G3138 .
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38. But Paul wouldn't have him; he wasn't about to take along a quitter who, as soon as the going got tough, had jumped ship on them in Pamphylia.
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38. But G1161 Paul G3972 thought not good G515 G3361 to take him with G4838 G5126 them , who departed G868 from G575 them G846 from G575 Pamphylia G3828 , and G2532 went not with G4905 G3361 them G846 to G1519 the G3588 work G2041 .
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39. Tempers flared, and they ended up going their separate ways: Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus;
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39. And G3767 the contention was so sharp between G3948 G1096 them, that G5620 they G846 departed asunder G673 one from the other G575 G240 : and G5037 so Barnabas G921 took G3880 Mark G3138 , and sailed G1602 unto G1519 Cyprus G2954 ;
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40. Paul chose Silas and, offered up by their friends to the grace of the Master,
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40. And G1161 Paul G3972 chose G1951 Silas G4609 , and departed G1831 , being recommended G3860 by G5259 the G3588 brethren G80 unto the G3588 grace G5485 of God G2316 .
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41. went to Syria and Cilicia to build up muscle and sinew in those congregations.
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41. And G1161 he went through G1330 Syria G4947 and G2532 Cilicia G2791 , confirming G1991 the G3588 churches G1577 .
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