17. That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all nations upon whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who doth these things.
18. To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the world.
19. For which cause I judge that they, who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted.
20. But that we write unto them, that they refrain themselves from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.
22. Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.
23. Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting.
24. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some going out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment:
25. It hath seemed good to us, being assembled together, to choose out men, and to send them unto you, with our well beloved Barnabas and Paul:
26. Men that have given their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things.
28. For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no further burden upon you than these necessary things:
29. That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which things keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well.
30. They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch; and gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle.
31. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32. But Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, with many words comforted the brethren, and confirmed them.
33. And after they had spent some time there, they were let go with peace by the brethren, unto them that had sent them.