Acts 15:38

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.
KJV
But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
WEB
But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work.
ASV
But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
DARBY
but Paul thought it not well to take with them him who had abandoned them, [going back] from Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
BLB
But Paul was thinking it fit not to take him along, the one having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia and not having gone with them to the work.
ÅB
men Paulus syntes ikke at de skulle ta ham med som hadde skilt seg fra dem i Pamfylia og ikke var gått med dem til deres gjerning.
OTB
Men Paulus syntes ikke det var klokt å ta ham med, fordi han hadde forlatt dem i Pamfylia og ikke hadde fortsatt med dem i arbeidet.
B1930
men Paulus syntes ikke at de skulde ta ham med som hadde skilt sig fra dem i Pamfylia og ikke var gått med dem til deres gjerning.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

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