14. Simon has described how God first showed His concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for His Name.
15. The words of the Prophets agree, as it is written:
16. ‘After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David. I will rebuild its ruins and I will restore it,
17. so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord— namely all the Gentiles who are called by My name— says Adonai, who makes these things
18. known from of old.’
19. Therefore, I judge not to trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God—
20. but to write to them to abstain from the contamination of idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
21. For Moses from ancient generations has had in every city those who proclaim him, since he is read in all the synagogues every Shabbat.”
22. Then it seemed good to the emissaries and elders, with the whole community, to choose men from among themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judah (also called Barsabbas) and Silas, leading men among the brethren,
23. and this letter along with them: “The emissaries and the elders, your brothers, To the Gentile brothers of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings!
24. Since we have heard that some from among us have troubled you with words disturbing to your souls, although we gave them no such authorization,
25. it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul—
26. men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
27. We therefore have sent to you Judah and Silas, who themselves will report to you the same things by word of mouth.
28. It seemed good to the Ruach ha-Kodesh and to us not to place on you any greater burden than these essentials:
29. that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. By keeping away from these things, you will do well. Shalom!”
30. So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and when they had gathered the whole group together, they delivered the letter.
31. The people read it and rejoiced over its encouragement.