It was becauseof a revelationthat I wentup; and I submittedto them the gospelwhichI preachamongthe Gentiles,but [I did so] in privateto thosewho were of reputation,for fearthat I might be running,orhad run,in vain.
Deadfliesmake a perfumer'soilstink,so a littlefoolishnessis weightierthanwisdom[and] honor.
"Behold,I sendyou out as sheepin the midstof wolves;sobe shrewdas serpentsand innocentas doves.
Allthe peoplekept silent,and they were listeningto Barnabasand Paulas they were relatingwhatsignsand wondersGodhad donethroughthem amongthe Gentiles.
And when Pauland Barnabashadgreatdissensionand debatewith them, [the brethren] determinedthat Pauland Barnabasand someothersof them should goup to Jerusalemto the apostlesand eldersconcerningthisissue.
When they arrivedat Jerusalem,they were receivedby the churchand the apostlesand the elders,and they reportedallthat Godhad donewith them.
And the Lordsaidto Paulin the nightby a vision,"Do not be afraid[any longer], but go on speakingand do not be silent;
But on the night[immediately] following,the Lordstoodat his side and said,"Take courage;for as you have solemnly witnessedto My causeat Jerusalem,soyou mustwitnessat Romealso."
But a PhariseenamedGamaliel,a teacher of the Law,respectedby allthe people,stoodup in the Counciland gave ordersto putthe menoutsidefor a short time.
So thenit [does] not [depend] on the man who willsorthe man who runs,but on Godwho has mercy.
but we preachChristcrucified,to Jewsa stumbling blockand to Gentilesfoolishness,
For I determinedto knownothingamongyou exceptJesusChrist,and Him crucified.
Do you not knowthat thosewho runin a raceallrun,but [only] onereceivesthe prize?Runin such a waythat you may win.
ThereforeI runin sucha way,as not without aim;I boxin such a way,as not beatingthe air;
Boastingis necessary,thoughit is not profitable;but I will goon to visionsand revelationsof the Lord.
For I neitherreceivedit from man,norwas I taughtit, but [I received it] througha revelationof JesusChrist.
to revealHis Sonin me sothat I might preachHim amongthe Gentiles,I did not immediatelyconsultwith fleshand blood,
I am amazedthat you are soquicklydesertingHim who calledyou by the graceof Christ,for a differentgospel;
But from thosewho were of highreputation(whatthey were makesnodifferenceto me; Godshowsnopartiality)--well,thosewho were of reputationcontributednothingto me.
and recognizingthe gracethat had been givento me, Jamesand Cephasand John,who were reputedto be pillars,gaveto me and Barnabasthe right handof fellowship,sothat we [might] [go] to the Gentilesand they to the circumcised.
You were runningwell;whohinderedyou from obeyingthe truth?
holding fastthe wordof life,sothat in the dayof ChristI will have reason to glorybecauseI did not runin vainnortoilin vain.
Receivehim thenin the Lordwith alljoy,and holdmen likehim in high regard;
For thisreason,when I could endure[it] no longer,I alsosentto findout about your faith,for fearthat the temptermight have temptedyou, and our laborwould be in vain.
I have foughtthe goodfight,I have finishedthe course,I have keptthe faith;
Therefore,since we haveso greata cloudof witnessessurroundingus, let us alsolay asideeveryencumbranceand the sinwhich so easily entanglesus, and let us runwith endurancethe racethat is set beforeus,
