9. He made no difference between us and them; he forgave their sins because they believed.
10. So then, why do you now want to put God to the test by laying a load on the backs of the believers which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry?
11. No! We believe and are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
12. The whole group was silent as they heard Barnabas and Paul report all the miracles and wonders that God had performed through them among the Gentiles.
13. When they had finished speaking, James spoke up: “Listen to me, my brothers and sisters!
14. Simon has just explained how God first showed his care for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people to belong to him.
15. The words of the prophets agree completely with this. As the scripture says:
16. ‘After this I will return, says the Lord,and restore the kingdom of David.I will rebuild its ruinsand make it strong again.
17. And so all the rest of the human race will come to me,all the Gentiles whom I have called to be my own.
18. So says the Lord, who made this known long ago.’
19. “It is my opinion,” James went on, “that we should not trouble the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20. Instead, we should write a letter telling them not to eat any food that is ritually unclean because it has been offered to idols; to keep themselves from sexual immorality; and not to eat any animal that has been strangled, or any blood.
21. For the Law of Moses has been read for a very long time in the synagogues every Sabbath, and his words are preached in every town.”