¹²The whole crowd was silent. They listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the miracles and amazing things that God had done through them among non-Jewish people.

¹³After they finished speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴Simon has explained how God first showed his concern by taking from non-Jewish people those who would honor his name. ¹⁵This agrees with what the prophets said. Scripture says,

¹⁶‘Afterwards, I will return.

I will set up David’s fallen tent again.

I will restore its ruined places again.

I will set it up again

¹⁷so that the survivors and all the people who aren’t Jewish

over whom my name is spoken,

may search for the Lord, declares the Lord.

¹⁸He is the one who will do these things that have always been known!’

¹⁹“So I’ve decided that we shouldn’t trouble non-Jewish people who are turning to God. ²⁰Instead, we should write a letter telling them to keep away from things polluted by false gods, from sexual sins, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from eating bloody meat. ²¹After all, Moses’ words have been spread to every city for generations. His teachings are read in synagogues on every day of rest—a holy day.”

²²Then the apostles, the spiritual leaders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to the city of Antioch. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, who were leaders among the believers.

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