10. Now then, why test God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
11. But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
12. The entire assembly remained silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13. After they had become silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.
14. Simon has declared how God first visited the Gentiles to take from among them a people for His name.
15. With this the words of the prophets agree. As it is written:
16. ‘After this I will return,and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen;I will rebuild its ruins,and I will set it up;
17. that the rest of men may seek the Lord,and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,says the Lord who does all these things.’
18. Known to God are all His works since the beginning of the world.
19. “Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20. but that we write to them to abstain from food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from strangled animals, and from blood.
21. For Moses has had in every city since early generations those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22. Then it pleased the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.
23. They wrote this letter by their hand:The apostles and the elders and the brothers,To the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:Greetings.
24. Since we have heard that some of us, whom we did not commission, have gone out and have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law,”
25. it seemed good to us, being assembled in unity, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26. men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will also speak to you, saying the same things.