9. and he made no distinction between them and us, cleansing their hearts by faith.
10. So now why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
11. On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they are.”
12. The whole group kept quiet and listened to Barnabas and Paul while they explained all the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
13. After they stopped speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.
14. Simeon has explained how God first concerned himself to select from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
15. The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written,
16. ‘After this I will return,and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David;I will rebuild its ruins and restore it,
17. so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord,namely, all the Gentiles I have called to be my own,’ says the Lord, who makes these things
18. known from long ago.
19. “Therefore I conclude that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20. but that we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things defiled by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood.
21. For Moses has had those who proclaim him in every town from ancient times, because he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22. Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to send men chosen from among them, Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leaders among the brothers, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
23. They sent this letter with them:From the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the Gentile brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, greetings!