22 Then it seemed good to (A)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to (B)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and (C)Silas, leading men among (D)the brothers, 23 and they [a]sent this letter with them:

(E)The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to (F)the brothers and sisters in (G)Antioch, (H)Syria, and (I)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: (J)Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that (K)some [b]of our number to whom we gave no instruction have (L)confused you by their [c]teaching, upsetting your souls, 25 (M)it seemed good to us, having [d]become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have [e](N)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore, we have sent (O)Judas and (P)Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For (Q)it seemed good to (R)the Holy Spirit and to (S)us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from (T)things sacrificed to idols, from (U)blood, from (V)things strangled, and from (W)acts of sexual immorality; [f]if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent away, (X)they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the [g]congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its [h]encouragement. 32 (Y)Judas and (Z)Silas, also being (AA)prophets themselves, [i]encouraged and strengthened (AB)the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters (AC)in peace to those who had (AD)sent them out.[j] 35 But (AE)Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and (AF)preaching (AG)the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Second Missionary Journey

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers and sisters in (AH)every city in which we proclaimed (AI)the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take (AJ)John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had (AK)deserted them [k]in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took (AL)Mark with him and sailed away to (AM)Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose (AN)Silas, and left after being (AO)entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through (AP)Syria and (AQ)Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:23 Lit wrote by their hand
  2. Acts 15:24 Lit from us
  3. Acts 15:24 Lit words
  4. Acts 15:25 Or met together
  5. Acts 15:26 Lit given over
  6. Acts 15:29 Lit from which keeping yourselves free
  7. Acts 15:30 Or multitude
  8. Acts 15:31 Or exhortation
  9. Acts 15:32 Or exhorted
  10. Acts 15:33 Late mss add as v 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
  11. Acts 15:38 Lit from

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