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,

16 (I)“‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
     and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant[a] of mankind (J)may seek the Lord,
    and all the Gentiles (K)who are called by my name,
     says the Lord, who makes these things 18 (L)known from of old.’

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.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:17 Or rest
  2. Acts 15:23 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 32, 33, 36
  3. Acts 15:24 Some manuscripts some persons from us have troubled you

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