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.
28. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to put on you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29. Abstain from food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from strangled animals, and from blood. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.Farewell.
30. So when they were dismissed, they went down to Antioch. And when they had assembled the congregation, they delivered the letter.
31. When they had read it, they rejoiced over the exhortation.
32. Judas and Silas, being prophets themselves, exhorted the brothers with many words and strengthened them.
33. After they had remained there for a time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to the apostles.
34. But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35. And Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36. After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit our brothers in every city where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”