Acts 15:15-32

¹⁵And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

¹⁶‘After this I will return, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen; and its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,

¹⁷in order that the rest of men may seek out the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things.’

¹⁸“Known from everlasting to God are all His works.

¹⁹Therefore I judge that we must not cause trouble for those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles;

²⁰but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

²¹For Moses has had from ancient generations those who proclaim him in each city, being read in the synagogues from one Sabbath to another.”

²²Then it seemed best to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send men being chosen from them to Antioch, together with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.

²³Writing by their hand these things: The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia who are of the Gentiles: Greetings.

²⁴Inasmuch as we have heard that some went out from among us and troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “that you must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such command—

²⁵it seemed best to us, being like-minded, to send chosen men to you, with our beloved brothers Barnabas and Paul,

²⁶men who have risked their lives for the sake of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁷We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.

²⁸For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put on you no greater burden except for these necessary things:

²⁹that you abstain from meat offered to idols, and from blood, and from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality; from which keeping yourselves back, you will do well. Farewell.

³⁰Then having been dismissed, they came to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

³¹And when they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.

³²Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.