Acts 15:22-32

22Then it seemed good to 1the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to 2Antioch with Paul and Barnabas--Judas called Barsabbas, and 3Silas, leading men among 4the brethren, 23and they 5sent this letter by them, “6The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to 7the brethren in 8Antioch and 9Syria and 10Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, 11greetings. 24Since we have heard that 12some 13of our number to whom we gave no instruction have 14disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, 2515it seemed good to us, having 16become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have 1718risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we have sent 19Judas and 20Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28For 21it seemed good to 22the Holy Spirit and to 23us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29that you abstain from 24things sacrificed to idols and from 25blood and from 26things strangled and from 27fornication; 28if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30So when they were sent away, 29they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the 30congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its 31encouragement. 3232Judas and 33Silas, also being 34prophets themselves, 35encouraged and strengthened 36the brethren with a lengthy message.