13. After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me.
14. Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
15. The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:
16. ‘After this I shall returnand rebuild the fallen hut of David;from its ruins I shall rebuild itand raise it up again,
17. so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,
18. known from of old.’
19. It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,
20. but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.
21. For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”
22. Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
23. This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings.
24. Since we have heard that some of our number [who went out] without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind,
25. we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26. who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
28. ‘It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
29. namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”
30. And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.