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

22 Then 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 called Barsabbas, and (H)Silas, leading men among (I)the brethren, 23 and they [c]sent this letter by them,

(J)The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to (K)the brethren in (L)Antioch and (M)Syria and (N)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, (O)greetings.

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

30 So when they were sent away, (AC)they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the [h]congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its [i]encouragement.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:20 Lit the pollutions of
  2. Acts 15:21 I.e. the books of Moses, Gen through Deut
  3. Acts 15:23 Lit wrote by their hand
  4. Acts 15:24 Lit from us
  5. Acts 15:25 Or met together
  6. Acts 15:26 Lit given over
  7. Acts 15:29 Lit from which keeping yourselves free
  8. Acts 15:30 Or multitude
  9. Acts 15:31 Or exhortation