22 Then it seemed good to (A)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to (B)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and (C)Silas, leading men among (D)the brothers, 23 and they [a]sent this letter with them:

(E)The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to (F)the brothers and sisters in (G)Antioch, (H)Syria, and (I)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: (J)Greetings.

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

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:23 Lit wrote by their hand
  2. Acts 15:24 Lit from us
  3. Acts 15:24 Lit words
  4. Acts 15:25 Or met together
  5. Acts 15:26 Lit given over
  6. Acts 15:29 Lit from which keeping yourselves free

The Reply of the Church

22 Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. These were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers. 23 They wrote this letter for them to deliver:[a]

“From:[b] The apostles and the elders, your brothers

To: Their gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.

Greetings. 24 We have heard that some men, coming from us without instructions from us, have said things to trouble you and have unsettled you.[c] 25 So we have unanimously decided to choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.[d] 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any burden but these essential requirements: 29 to keep away from food sacrificed to idols, from blood,[e] from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you avoid these things, you will do well. Goodbye.”

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:23 Lit. They wrote through their hand
  2. Acts 15:23 The Gk. lacks From
  3. Acts 15:24 Other mss. read you by saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law.’
  4. Acts 15:26 Or Christ
  5. Acts 15:29 I.e. uncooked meat