James’ Judgment

13 After they stopped speaking, [a](A)James responded, saying, “[b]Brothers, listen to me. 14 (B)Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles. 15 The words of (C)the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written:

16 (D)After these things (E)I will return,
And I will rebuild the fallen [c]tabernacle of David,
And I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will restore it,
17 (F)So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
And all the Gentiles [d](G)who are called by My name,’
18 (H)Says the Lord, who [e](I)makes these things known from long ago.

19 Therefore, it is (J)my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from [f](K)things contaminated by idols, from (L)acts of sexual immorality, from (M)what has been [g]strangled, and from blood. 21 For (N)from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since [h]he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:13 Or Jacob
  2. Acts 15:13 Lit Men, brothers
  3. Acts 15:16 Or tent
  4. Acts 15:17 Lit upon whom My name is called
  5. Acts 15:18 Or does these things which were known
  6. Acts 15:20 Lit the pollutions of
  7. Acts 15:20 I.e., to retain the blood
  8. Acts 15:21 I.e., the books of Moses, Gen through Deut

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