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22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.[a] 23 They wrote these things by their hand:

“The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. 24 Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment; 25 it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”

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Footnotes

  1. 15:22 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

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