12. And the whole group became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
13. And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Men and brothers, listen to me!
14. Simeon has described how God first concerned himself to take from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
15. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16. ‘After these things I will return and build up again the tent of David that has fallen, and the parts of it that had been torn down I will build up again and will restore it,
17. so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things
18. known from of old.’
19. Therefore I conclude we should not cause difficulty for those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
20. but we should write a letter to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood.
21. For Moses has those who proclaim him in every city from ancient generations, because he is read aloud in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
22. Then it seemed best to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send men chosen from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas who was called Barsabbas and Silas, men who were leaders among the brothers—
23. writing this letter to be delivered by them: The apostles and the elders, brothers. To the brothers who are from among the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Greetings!
24. Because we have heard that some have gone out from among us—to whom we gave no orders—and have thrown you into confusion by words upsetting your minds,
25. it seemed best to us, having reached a unanimous decision, and having chosen men, to send them to you together with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
26. men who have risked their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, and they will report the same things by word of mouth.
28. For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to place on you no greater burden except these necessary things:
29. that you abstain from food sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these things you will do well. Farewell.