Acts 15:19-41

19Therefore it is 1my 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 23things contaminated by idols and from 4fornication and from 5what is strangled and from blood. 21For 6Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since 7he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22Then it seemed good to 8the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to 9Antioch with Paul and Barnabas--Judas called Barsabbas, and 10Silas, leading men among 11the brethren, 23and they 12sent this letter by them, “13The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to 14the brethren in 15Antioch and 16Syria and 17Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, 18greetings. 24Since we have heard that 19some 20of our number to whom we gave no instruction have 21disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, 2522it seemed good to us, having 23become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have 2425risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we have sent 26Judas and 27Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28For 28it seemed good to 29the Holy Spirit and to 30us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29that you abstain from 31things sacrificed to idols and from 32blood and from 33things strangled and from 34fornication; 35if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30So when they were sent away, 36they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the 37congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its 38encouragement. 3239Judas and 40Silas, also being 41prophets themselves, 42encouraged and strengthened 43the brethren with a lengthy message. 33After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren 44in peace to those who had 45sent them out. 34[46But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.] 35But 47Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and 48preaching with many others also, 49the word of the Lord.

36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in 50every city in which we proclaimed 51the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37Barnabas wanted to take 52John, called Mark, along with them also. 38But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had 53deserted them 54in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took 55Mark with him and sailed away to 56Cyprus. 40But Paul chose 57Silas and left, being 58committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41And he was traveling through 59Syria and 60Cilicia, strengthening the churches.