12. Everyone became quiet as they listened to Barnabas and Paul. They were telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among non-Jews.
13. When they finished, James spoke up. "Brothers," he said, "listen to me.
14. Simon Peter has explained to us how God first showed his concern for those who aren't Jews. He chose some of them to be his very own people.
15. The prophets' words agree with that. They say,
16. " 'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. I will rebuild what was destroyed. I will make it what it used to be.
17. Then the rest of the people can look to the Lord. This means all the non-Jews who belong to me. The Lord says this. He is the one who does these things.' (Amos 9:11,12)
18. The Lord does things that have been known for a long time.
19. "Now here is my opinion. We should not make it hard for the non-Jews who are turning to God.
20. Here is what we should write to them. They must not eat food polluted by being offered to statues of gods. They must not commit sexual sins. They must not eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And they must not drink blood.
21. These laws of Moses have been preached in every city from the earliest times. They are read out loud in the synagogues every Sabbath day."
22. Then the apostles, the elders and the whole church decided what to do. They would choose some of their own men. They would send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. So they chose two leaders among the believers. Their names were Judas Barsabbas and Silas.
23. Here is the letter they sent with them. The apostles and elders, your brothers, are writing this letter. We are sending it to the non-Jewish believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. Greetings.
24. We have heard that some of our people came to you and caused trouble. You were upset by what they said. But we had given them no authority to go.
25. So we all agreed to send our dear friends Barnabas and Paul to you. We chose some others to go with them.