Ma'ashym (Acts) — 15
Conflict over Circumcision
1 While Shaul and Barnabas were at Antiuch of Syria, some men from Yahudah arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Musha, you cannot be saved.”
2 Shaul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the Qadash assembly decided to send Shaul and Barnabas to Yahushalam, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the Shaliachs and elders about this question.
3 So being sent on their way by the Qadash assembly, they passed through Phuanicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the other nations; and they caused great joy to all the Qadash ones.
4 And when they had come to Yahushalam, they were received by the Qadash assembly and the Shaliachs and the elders; and they reported all things that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH had done with them.
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Musha.”
6 So the Shaliachs and elders met together to resolve this issue.
7 At the meeting, after a long discussion, Kafa stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the other nations so that they could hear the Good News and believe.
8 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH knows the hearts, of everyone man and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH confirmed that He accepts the other nations by giving them the RUACH Ha'Qadash, just as 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH gave to us.
9 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH made no distinction between us and them, for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH cleansed their hearts through Amunah.
10 So why are you now challenging 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH by burdening the other nations believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear?
11 We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved favor of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏_YAHUSHA Ha'Mashyach.”
12 Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Shaul told them about the miraculous signs and wonders 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH had done through them among the other nations (Non Yahudym).
13 When they had finished, Ya'aqub stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Kafa has told you about the time 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH first visited the other nations to take from them a people for himself.
15 And this conversion of other nations is exactly what the Nabyms predicted. As it is written:
16 ‘Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of Daud, I will rebuild its ruins and restore it,
17 So that the rest of mankind might seek 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, including the other nations, all those I have called to be mine, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has spoken
18 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH who made these things known so long ago.’
19 “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the other nations who are turning to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood.
21 For these laws of Musha have been preached in Yahudym congregation in every city on every Shabbat for many generations.”
The Letter for other Nations Believers
22 Then the Shaliachs and elders together with the whole Qadash assembly in Yahushalam chose delegates, and they sent them to Antiuch of Syria with Shaul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the Qadash assembly leaders, Yudas (also called Barsabas) and Silas.
23 This is the letter they took with them: “This letter is from the Shaliachs and elders, your brothers in Yahushalam. It is written to the other nations believers in Antiuch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!
24 “We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them!
25 So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Shaul,
26 Who have risked their lives for the Name of our Master 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏_YAHUSHA.
27 We are sending Yudas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.
28 “For it seemed good to the Ruach Ha'Qadash and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements:
29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 The messengers went at once to Antiuch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter.
31 And there was great joy throughout the Qadash assembly that day as they read this encouraging message.
32 Then Yudas and Silas, both being Nabyms, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their Amunah.
33 They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the Qadash assembly in Yahushalam with a Barakah of Shalum.
34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35 Shaul and Barnabas stayed in Antiuch. They and many others taught and preached the Dabar of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH there.
Shaul and Barnabas Separate
36 After some time Shaul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the Dabar of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, to see how the new believers are doing.”
37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along Yunah Mark.
38 But Shaul disagreed strongly, since Yunah Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.
39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took Yunah Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.
40 Shaul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH’s delightful care.
41 Then Shaul traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Qadash assembly there.