12. The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.
13. After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me.
14. Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
15. The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:
16. ‘After this I shall returnand rebuild the fallen hut of David;from its ruins I shall rebuild itand raise it up again,
17. so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,
18. known from of old.’
19. It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,
20. but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.
21. For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”
22. Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers.