Acts 15:12-31

12All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were 1relating what 2signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13After they had stopped speaking, 34James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 145Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15With this the words of 6the Prophets agree, just as it is written,16‘7After these things 8I will return, And I will rebuild the 9tabernacle of David which has fallen, And I will rebuild its ruins, And I will restore it,1710So that the rest of 11mankind may seek the Lord, And all the Gentiles 1213who are called by My name,’1814Says the Lord, who 1516makes these things known from long ago. 19Therefore it is 17my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20but that we write to them that they abstain from 1819things contaminated by idols and from 20fornication and from 21what is strangled and from blood. 21For 22Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since 23he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22Then it seemed good to 24the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to 25Antioch with Paul and Barnabas--Judas called Barsabbas, and 26Silas, leading men among 27the brethren, 23and they 28sent this letter by them, “29The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to 30the brethren in 31Antioch and 32Syria and 33Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, 34greetings. 24Since we have heard that 35some 36of our number to whom we gave no instruction have 37disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, 2538it seemed good to us, having 39become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have 4041risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we have sent 42Judas and 43Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28For 44it seemed good to 45the Holy Spirit and to 46us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29that you abstain from 47things sacrificed to idols and from 48blood and from 49things strangled and from 50fornication; 51if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30So when they were sent away, 52they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the 53congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its 54encouragement.