New Testament in a Year
22 The Letter of the Apostles. Then the apostles and the elders, with the approval of the whole Church, decided to choose representatives from their number and to send them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They sent Judas, who was called Barsabbas,[a] and Silas, leaders in the community, 23 to deliver the following letter:
The apostles and the elders, your brethren,
To the brethren in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 It has come to our attention that some of our number, without having received any instructions from us, have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind. 25 Therefore, we have decided unanimously to choose representatives and send them to you together with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 And so we are sending Judas and Silas who will confirm these things by word of mouth.
28 It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and also our decision not to lay any further burden upon you beyond these essentials: 29 you are to abstain from food that has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of animals that have been strangled, and from unchastity. If you avoid these, you will be doing what is right.
Farewell.
30 Delegates at Antioch. So the men departed. When they reached Antioch, they summoned together the entire congregation and delivered the letter. 31 Upon reading it, the community rejoiced at its encouragement.
32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, spoke at length to strengthen and encourage the brethren. 33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent off in peace by the brethren to return to those who had sent them. 34 [But Silas decided to remain there.][b] 35 Meanwhile, Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where, along with many others, they taught and proclaimed the word of God.
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey[c]
36 Paul and Barnabas Separate.[d] After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brethren in all the cities where we proclaimed the word of the Lord so that we can see how they are progressing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul was adamant about not taking with them a man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued to share in their work.
39 As a result, there was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas sailed to Cyprus with Mark. 40 However, Paul chose Silas and set out on his journey, as the brethren commended him to the grace of the Lord.
41 Pastoral Visit to Asia Minor.[e] He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, bringing strength to the churches.
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