Acts 15:19-41

19Therefore, it is 1my 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 23things contaminated by idols, from 4acts of sexual immorality, from 5what has been 6strangled, and from blood. 21For 7from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since 8he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22Then it seemed good to 9the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to 10Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and 11Silas, leading men among 12the brothers, 23and they 13sent this letter with them: “14The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to 15the brothers and sisters in 16Antioch, 17Syria, and 18Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: 19Greetings. 24Since we have heard that 20some 21of our number to whom we gave no instruction have 22confused you by their 23teaching, upsetting your souls, 2524it seemed good to us, having 25become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have 2627risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore, we have sent 28Judas and 29Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28For 30it seemed good to 31the Holy Spirit and to 32us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29that you abstain from 33things sacrificed to idols, from 34blood, from 35things strangled, and from 36acts of sexual immorality; 37if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30So when they were sent away, 38they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the 39congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its 40encouragement. 3241Judas and 42Silas, also being 43prophets themselves, 44encouraged and strengthened 45the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message. 33After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters 46in peace to those who had 47sent them out.48 35But 49Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and 50preaching 51the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers and sisters in 52every city in which we proclaimed 53the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37Barnabas wanted to take 54John, called Mark, along with them also. 38But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had 55deserted them 56in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took 57Mark with him and sailed away to 58Cyprus. 40But Paul chose 59Silas, and left after being 60entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41And he was traveling through 61Syria and 62Cilicia, strengthening the churches.