23 and they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
23 With [them they sent] the following letter: The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings:
23 and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:
23 what was written by their own hands: "The Apostles and elders, brothers, to those who are at Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, brothers from the Gentiles, greetings.
23 Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting.
The news about Jesus spread all over Syria. And people brought all the sick people to Jesus. These sick people were suffering from different kinds of diseases and pain. Some people were suffering with very bad pain, some people had demons {\cf2\super [55]} inside them, some people were epileptics, {\cf2\super [56]} and some people were paralyzed (crippled). Jesus healed all these people.
When the Jewish believers heard these things, they stopped arguing. They praised God and said, “So God is allowing the non-Jewish people to change their hearts and have life the same as us!”
Some of these believers were men from Cyprus and Cyrene. When these men came to Antioch, they also spoke to Greeks (non-Jews). They told these Greek people the Good News about the Lord Jesus.
When Paul and Barnabas arrived, they gathered the church (group of believers) together. Paul and Barnabas told them about all the things God had done with them. They said, “God opened a door so that the people of other nations (non-Jews) could also believe!”
Then some men came \{to Antioch\} from Judea. They began teaching the non-Jewish brothers: “You cannot be saved if you are not circumcised. {\cf2\super [296]} Moses taught us to do this.”
Paul and Barnabas were against this teaching. They argued with these men about it. So the group decided to send Paul, Barnabas, and some other men to Jerusalem. These men were going there to talk more about this with the apostles {\cf2\super [297]} and elders. {\cf2\super [298]}
The apostles, {\cf2\super [315]} the elders, {\cf2\super [316]} and the whole church (group of believers) wanted to send some men with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. The group decided to choose some of their own men. They chose Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. These men were respected by the brothers \{in Jerusalem\}.
Paul, Barnabas, and the others arrived in Jerusalem. The apostles, {\cf2\super [299]} the elders, {\cf2\super [300]} and the whole group of believers welcomed them. Paul, Barnabas, and the others told about all the things that God had done with them.
Paul stayed with the brothers (believers) for many days. Then he left and sailed for Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were also with him. At Cenchrea, Paul cut off his hair. {\cf2\super [368]} \{This showed that\} he had made a promise (vow) to God.
We sailed near the island of Cyprus. We could see it on the north side, but we did not stop. We sailed to the country of Syria. We stopped at the city of Tyre because the ship needed to unload its cargo there.
But some Jews came and argued with Stephen. These Jews were from a synagogue. {\cf2\super [115]} It was called a synagogue for Libertines. {\cf2\super [116]} (This synagogue was also for Jews from Cyrene, and for Jews from Alexandria.) Jews from Cilicia and Asia {\cf2\super [117]} were with them. They all came and argued with Stephen.