Acts 15:12-31

12All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were 1relating all the 2signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13After they stopped speaking, 34James responded, saying, “5Brothers, listen to me. 146Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles. 15The words of 7the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written:16‘8After these things 9I will return, And I will rebuild the fallen 10tabernacle of David, And I will rebuild its ruins, And I will restore it,1711So that the rest of mankind 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 cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20but that we write to them that they abstain from 1819things contaminated by idols, from 20acts of sexual immorality, from 21what has been 22strangled, and from blood. 21For 23from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since 24he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22Then it seemed good to 25the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to 26Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and 27Silas, leading men among 28the brothers, 23and they 29sent this letter with them: “30The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to 31the brothers and sisters in 32Antioch, 33Syria, and 34Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: 35Greetings. 24Since we have heard that 36some 37of our number to whom we gave no instruction have 38confused you by their 39teaching, upsetting your souls, 2540it seemed good to us, having 41become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have 4243risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore, we have sent 44Judas and 45Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28For 46it seemed good to 47the Holy Spirit and to 48us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29that you abstain from 49things sacrificed to idols, from 50blood, from 51things strangled, and from 52acts of sexual immorality; 53if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30So when they were sent away, 54they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the 55congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its 56encouragement.