Acts 15:14-41 ▼

14 Simeon related how God first visited to take out of the Gentiles a people for His name.

15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

16 ‘After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David that has fallen, and its ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it upright,

17 so that the remnant of men may seek out the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom has been called My name—upon them, says the Lord, doing these things

18 known from the age.’

19 Therefore I judge not to trouble those from the Gentiles turning to God,

20 but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from sexual immorality, and from that which is strangled, and from blood.

21 For Moses has ones proclaiming him in every city from generations of old, being read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and to the elders, with the whole church, having chosen out of them to send men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brothers,

23 having written by their hand: The apostles and the elders, brothers, To those brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.

24 Inasmuch as we have heard that some went out from us, to whom we gave no instructions, and that they troubled you? by words, upsetting your? minds,

25 it seemed good to us, having come with one accord, having chosen men to send to you? with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 men having handed over their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, and they are telling the same things by word.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you? no further burden except these necessary things:

29 to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. Keeping yourselves from these, you? will do well. Farewell.

30 Indeed, therefore, having been sent off, they went to Antioch, and having gathered the multitude, they delivered the letter.

31 And having read it, they rejoiced at the encouragement.

32 Both Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, exhorted and strengthened the brothers by much talk.

33 And having continued a time, they were sent away in peace from the brothers to those having sent them.

34

35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the good news—with many others also—the word of the Lord.

36 Now after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Indeed, having turned back, let us look after the brothers in every city in which we have proclaimed the word of the Lord—how they are.”

37 Now Barnabas purposed also to take along John, called Mark.

38 But Paul was thinking it fit not to take him along, the one having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia and not having gone with them to the work.

39 Therefore a sharp disagreement arose, so that they separated from one another. And Barnabas, having taken Mark, sailed to Cyprus.

40 But Paul, having chosen Silas, went out, having been committed to the grace of the Lord by the brothers.

41 And he was passing through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.