Acts 15:19-31 New American Standard Bible

¹⁹Therefore, it is ^(A)my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, ²⁰but that we write to them that they abstain from ^[a]^(B)things contaminated by idols, from ^(C)acts of sexual immorality, from ^(D)what has been ^[b]strangled, and from blood. ²¹For ^(E)from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since ^[c]he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²²Then it seemed good to ^(F)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to ^(G)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and ^(H)Silas, leading men among ^(I)the brothers, ²³and they ^[d]sent this letter with them:

“^(J)The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to ^(K)the brothers and sisters in ^(L)Antioch, ^(M)Syria, and ^(N)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: ^(O)Greetings.

²⁴Since we have heard that ^(P)some ^[e]of our number to whom we gave no instruction have ^(Q)confused you by their ^[f]teaching, upsetting your souls, ²⁵^(R)it seemed good to us, having ^[g]become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶men who have ^[h]^(S)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷Therefore, we have sent ^(T)Judas and ^(U)Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. ²⁸For ^(V)it seemed good to ^(W)the Holy Spirit and to ^(X)us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: ²⁹that you abstain from ^(Y)things sacrificed to idols, from ^(Z)blood, from ^(AA)things strangled, and from ^(AB)acts of sexual immorality; ^[i]if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

³⁰So when they were sent away, ^(AC)they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the ^[j]congregation together, they delivered the letter. ³¹When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its ^[k]encouragement.

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