At Iconium

14 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the aGreeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and 1poisoned their 2minds against the brethren. 3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, bwho was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and cwonders to be done by their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was ddivided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the eapostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, fto abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and gfled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

Idolatry at Lystra

8 hAnd in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. 3Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, i“Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, j“The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called 4Zeus, and Paul, 5Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, kintending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, lthey tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, mwhy are you doing these things? nWe also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from othese useless things pto the living God, qwho made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 rwho in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 sNevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, tgave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with ufood and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

Stoning, Escape to Derbe

19 vThen Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, wthey stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be xdead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Strengthening the Converts

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city yand made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, zexhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, a“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had bappointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, cthey reported all that God had done with them, and that He had dopened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Conflict Over Circumcision

15 And acertain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, b“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that cPaul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

3 So, dbeing sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, edescribing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God 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 Moses.”

The Jerusalem Council

6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: f“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, gwho knows the heart, 1acknowledged them by hgiving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 iand made no distinction between us and them, jpurifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God kby putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But lwe believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus 2Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had mworked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had 3become silent, nJames answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 oSimon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 ‘After pthis I will return

And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;

I will rebuild its ruins,

And I will set it up;

17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,

Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,

Says the 4Lord who does all these things.’

18 5“Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore qI judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who rare turning to God, 20 but that we swrite to them to abstain tfrom things polluted by idols, ufrom 6sexual immorality, vfrom things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, wbeing read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

The Jerusalem Decree

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named xBarsabas, 7and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

23 They wrote this letter by them:

The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that ysome who went out from us have troubled you with words, zunsettling your souls, 8saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment—25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one 9accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 amen who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 bthat you abstain from things offered to idols, cfrom blood, from things strangled, and from dsexual 1immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Farewell.

Continuing Ministry in Syria

30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being eprophets also, fexhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were gsent back with greetings from the brethren to 2the apostles.

34 3However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 hPaul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Division Over John Mark

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas 4was determined to take with them iJohn called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them jthe one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to kCyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, lbeing 5commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, mstrengthening the churches.