17. so the rest of humanitymay seek the Lord —even all the Gentileswho are called by My name,declares the Lord who does these things,
18. known from long ago.
19. Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God,
20. but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.
21. For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues.”
22. Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers.
23. They wrote this letter to be delivered by them: From the apostles and the elders, your brothers,To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24. Because we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,
25. we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul,
26. who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth.
28. For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision — and ours — to put no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
29. that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. You will do well if you keep yourselves from these things.Farewell.
30. Then, being sent off, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter.
31. When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
32. Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and strengthened them with a long message.
33. After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
35. But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the message of the Lord.
36. After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers in every town where we have preached the message of the Lord and see how they’re doing.”
37. Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark.