Acts 15:25-41

251it seemed good to us, having 2become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have 34risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore, we have sent 5Judas and 6Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28For 7it seemed good to 8the Holy Spirit and to 9us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29that you abstain from 10things sacrificed to idols, from 11blood, from 12things strangled, and from 13acts of sexual immorality; 14if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30So when they were sent away, 15they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the 16congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its 17encouragement. 3218Judas and 19Silas, also being 20prophets themselves, 21encouraged and strengthened 22the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message. 33After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters 23in peace to those who had 24sent them out.25 35But 26Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and 27preaching 28the 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 29every city in which we proclaimed 30the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37Barnabas wanted to take 31John, called Mark, along with them also. 38But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had 32deserted them 33in 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 34Mark with him and sailed away to 35Cyprus. 40But Paul chose 36Silas, and left after being 37entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41And he was traveling through 38Syria and 39Cilicia, strengthening the churches.