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13 James on Dietary Law. After they had finished speaking, James responded, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has related how God first looked favorably upon the Gentiles and took from among them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the Prophets, as it is written,

16 ‘After this I will return
    and rebuild the fallen tent of David.
From its ruins I will rebuild it
    and raise it up again,
17 so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
    as well as all the Gentiles whom I have claimed as my own.
Thus says the Lord who is doing this,
18     as he made known from long ago.’

19 “Therefore, I have come to this decision. We should not make things more difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Rather, we should send a letter simply instructing them to abstain from things that have been polluted by idols, from unchastity, from the meat of animals that have been strangled, and from blood. 21 For in every town for many generations, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he is read aloud in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:14 Simon: the Greek text has “Simeon.” “Simon,” the Semitic name of Peter, is unusual but fits well on the lips of James, who was very attached to Jewish culture.