Acts 15:19-31

English Standard Version

¹⁹ Therefore ^(A)my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who ^(B)turn to God, ²⁰ but should write to them ^(C)to abstain from ^(D)the things polluted by idols, and from ^(E)sexual immorality, and from ^(F)what has been strangled, and from ^(G)blood. ²¹ For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, ^(H)for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers

²² Then it seemed good to ^(I)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called ^(J)Barsabbas, and ^(K)Silas, leading men among ^(L)the brothers, ²³ with the following letter: ^(M)“The brothers, both ^(N)the apostles and the elders, to the brothers^[a] who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, ^(O)greetings. ²⁴ Since we have heard that ^(P)some persons have gone out from us and ^(Q)troubled you^[b] with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, ²⁵ it has seemed good to us, having come ^(R)to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our ^(S)beloved Barnabas and Paul, ^26 (T)men who have ^(U)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ We have therefore sent ^(V)Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. ²⁸ For it has seemed good ^(W)to the Holy Spirit and ^(X)to us ^(Y)to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: ^29 (Z)that you abstain from ^(AA)what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

³⁰ So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. ³¹ And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.