¹¹ But we ^(A)believe that we will be ^(B)saved through ^(C)the grace of the Lord Jesus, ^(D)just as they will.”

¹² And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul ^(E)as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. ¹³ After they finished speaking, ^(F)James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. ^14 (G)Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them ^(H)a people for his name. ¹⁵ And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

¹⁹ Therefore ^(M)my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who ^(N)turn to God, ²⁰ but should write to them ^(O)to abstain from ^(P)the things polluted by idols, and from ^(Q)sexual immorality, and from ^(R)what has been strangled, and from ^(S)blood. ²¹ For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, ^(T)for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers

²² Then it seemed good to ^(U)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 ^(V)Barsabbas, and ^(W)Silas, leading men among ^(X)the brothers, ²³ with the following letter: ^(Y)“The brothers, both ^(Z)the apostles and the elders, to the brothers^[b] who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, ^(AA)greetings. ²⁴ Since we have heard that ^(AB)some persons have gone out from us and ^(AC)troubled you^[c] with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, ²⁵ it has seemed good to us, having come ^(AD)to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our ^(AE)beloved Barnabas and Paul, ^26 (AF)men who have ^(AG)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ We have therefore sent ^(AH)Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. ²⁸ For it has seemed good ^(AI)to the Holy Spirit and ^(AJ)to us ^(AK)to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: ^29 (AL)that you abstain from ^(AM)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.