First Reading
Acts 15:7-21
- 7
And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to them: Men, brethren, you know, that in former days God made choice among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
- 8
And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us;
- 9
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
- 10
Now therefore, why tempt you God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
- 11
But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like manner as they also.
- 12
And all the multitude held their peace; and they heard Barnabas and Paul telling what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
- 13
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me.
- 14
Simon hath related how God first visited to take of the Gentiles a people to his name.
- 15
And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written:
- 16
After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and the ruins thereof I will rebuild, and I will set it up:
- 17
That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all nations upon whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who doth these things.
- 18
To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the world.
- 19
For which cause I judge that they, who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted.
- 20
But that we write unto them, that they refrain themselves from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
- 21
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition · public domain · 73 books. Psalm numbers follow the Roman lectionary.