Acts 15:28-41

²⁸It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to place no greater burden upon you than these necessary things:

²⁹to abstain from things offered to idols, from ‘blood’, from anything strangled and from fornication; it will be in your own best interest to keep away from these things. Farewell.”

³⁰So when they were sent off they came to Antioch, and gathering the crowd they delivered the letter.

³¹When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.

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

³³After some time, they were released with peace from the brothers to the apostles.

³⁵But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also.

³⁶Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return now and visit our brothers in each city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”

³⁷Now Barnabas resolved to take John (the one called Mark) along as well.

³⁸But Paul insisted on not taking someone who had deserted them in Pamphilia and not gone with them to the work.

³⁹Well the contention became so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

⁴⁰while Paul chose Silas and set out, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of God.

⁴¹He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the congregations.