| 宗徒大事錄 |
Acts |
| 1有從猶太下來的幾個人教訓弟兄們說：「若是你們不按梅瑟的慣例行割損，不能得救。」 |
1 Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved." |
| 2保祿和巴爾納伯同他們起了不少的爭執和辯論；大家就指定保祿和巴爾納伯，與他們中的幾個人，上耶路撒冷去見宗徒和長老，討論這問題。 |
2Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters about this question. |
| 3他們由教會送走之後，就路過腓尼基和撒瑪黎雅，沿途敘述外邦人歸化的事，使眾弟兄非常喜歡。 |
3They were sent on their journey by the church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. |
| 4他們到了耶路撒冷，為教會、宗徒和長老所歡迎，就報告了天主偕同他們所行的一切大事。 |
4When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. |
| 5卻有幾個信教的法利塞黨人起來說：「必須叫外邦人受割損，又應該命他們遵守梅瑟法律。」 |
5But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law." |
| 6宗徒和長老們就開會商討此事。 |
6 The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter. |
| 7辯論多時之後，伯多祿起來向他們說：「諸位仁人弟兄！你們深知，多時以前，天主就在你們中選定了，要藉我的口，叫外邦人聽福音的道理而信從。 |
7 After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them, "My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. |
| 8洞察人心的天主，已為他們作了證，因為賜給了他們聖神，如同賜給了我們一樣； |
8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us. |
| 9在我們和他們中間沒有作任何區別，因他以信德淨化了他們的心。 |
9He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. |
| 10既然如此，現今你們為什麼試探天主，在門徒的頸項上，放上連我們的祖先和我們自己都不能負荷的軛呢？ |
10Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? |
| 11但是，我們信我們得救，是藉着主耶穌的恩寵，正和他們一樣。」 |
11On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they." |
| 12於是眾人都緘默不語，靜聽巴爾納伯和保祿述說天主藉着他們在外邦人中，行了怎樣大的徵兆與奇蹟。 |
12The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. |
| 13大家都不出聲之後，雅各伯接着說：「諸位仁人弟兄，請聽我說！ |
13 After they had fallen silent, James responded, "My brothers, listen to me. |
| 14西滿述說了天主當初怎樣關心外邦人，由他們中選拔一個百姓，屬於自己名下； |
14Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. |
| 15先知的話也正與此相合，如經上記載： |
15The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written: |
| 16『以後我要回來，重建達味已傾倒的居所；已坍塌了的，要把它重建而豎立起來， |
16'After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, |
| 17為的是其餘的人，即一切以我的名得名的民族，要尋求上主： |
17so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, |
| 18這是很久以前，公佈這事的主說的。』 |
18known from of old.' |
| 19因此，按我的意見，不要再加給由外邦歸依天主的人煩難， |
19It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, |
| 20只要函告他們戒避偶像的玷污和奸淫，戒食窒死之物和血。 |
20but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. |
| 21因為自古以來，在各城內都有宣講梅瑟的人，每安息日在會堂中誦讀他的書。」 |
21For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath." |
| 22當時，宗徒和長老同全教會決定，從他們中選幾個人，派他們同保祿和巴爾納伯去安提約基雅。所派的，有號稱巴爾撒巴的猶達和息拉，是弟兄中的領導人物。 |
22Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. |
| 23他們帶去的信如下：「宗徒和長老弟兄們，給在安提約基雅、敘利亞和基里基雅由外邦歸化的弟兄們請安。 |
23This is the letter delivered by them: "The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. |
| 24我們聽說有幾個從我們這裏去的，而並非我們所派去的人，講話擾亂你們，混亂了你們的心。 |
24Since we have heard that some of our number (who went out) without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, |
| 25我們取得同意後，決定揀選幾個人，派他們同我們可愛的巴爾納伯和保祿，到你們那裏去。 |
25we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, |
| 26此二人為了我們主耶穌基督的名，已付出了自己的性命。 |
26who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 27我們派猶達和息拉去，他們要親口報告同樣的事。 |
27So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: |
| 28因為聖神和我們決定，不再加給你們什麼重擔，除了這幾項重要的事： |
28'It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, |
| 29即戒食祭邪神之物、血和窒死之物，並戒避奸淫；若你們戒絕了這一切，那就好了。祝你們安好！」 |
29namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'" |
| 30他們去後，就下到安提約基雅，聚集了眾人，遞上公函。 |
30And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. |
| 31人們讀了，對這勸慰的話都十分歡喜。 |
31When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation. |
| 32猶達和息拉，因為他們也是先知，就講了許多話，勸勉堅固弟兄們。 |
32Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brothers with many words. |
| 33過了一些時候，弟兄們打發他們帶着請安的話，回到派他們的人那裏。 |
33After they had spent some time there, they were sent off with greetings of peace from the brothers to those who had commissioned them. |
| 34【但是息拉決意留在那裏，只猶達一人回了耶路撒冷。】 |
34 |
| 35保祿和巴爾納伯卻留在安提約基雅施教，同別的許多人宣講主的道理。 |
35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming with many others the word of the Lord. |
| 36過了些日子，保祿向巴爾納伯說：「我們要回去，視察我們曾講過主道的各城，看看弟兄怎麼樣了。」 |
36 After some time, Paul said to Barnabas, "Come, let us make a return visit to see how the brothers are getting on in all the cities where we proclaimed the word of the Lord." |
| 37巴爾納伯願意也帶號稱馬爾谷的若望同去， |
37Barnabas wanted to take with them also John, who was called Mark, |
| 38但保祿認為不應帶他去，因為他從旁非里雅離開他們，沒有同他們一起去工作。 |
38but Paul insisted that they should not take with them someone who had deserted them at Pamphylia and who had not continued with them in their work. |
| 39二人於是起了爭執，以致彼此分離。巴爾納伯遂帶馬爾谷，乘船往塞浦路斯去了。 |
39So sharp was their disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. |
| 40保祿卻揀選了息拉，蒙弟兄們將他託於主的恩寵以後， |
40But Paul chose Silas and departed after being commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. |
| 41也起身走了，他走遍了敘利亞和基里基雅，堅固各教會。 |
41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia bringing strength to the churches. |
