18. known from eternity.
19. Wherefore I judge, not to trouble those who from the nations turn to God;
20. but to write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
21. For Moses, from generations of old, has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
22. Then it seemed good to the apostles and to the elders, with the whole assembly, to send chosen men from among them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, Judas called Barsabas and Silas, leading men among the brethren,
23. having by their hand written thus: The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from among the nations at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting:
24. Inasmuch as we have heard that some who went out from amongst us have troubled you by words, upsetting your souls, saying that ye must be circumcised and keep the law; to whom we gave no commandment;
25. it seemed good to us, having arrived at a common judgment, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26. men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves also will tell you by word of mouth the same things.
28. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29. to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication; keeping yourselves from which ye will do well. Farewell.