13 And after they had held their peace, fJames answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 gSimeon hhath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of ithe prophets; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and kwill build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18 Known unto God are all his works lfrom the beginning of the world. 19 Wherefore mmy sentence is, that we ntrouble not them, which from among the Gentiles oare turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from ppollutions of idols, and from qfornication, and from rthings strangled, and from rblood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, sbeing read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

22 Then pleased it the apostles and telders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to uAntioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed xBarsabas, and ySilas, zchief men among athe brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and telders and abrethren bsend greeting unto the abrethren which are of the Gentiles in uAntioch and cSyria and cdCilicia: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that ecertain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 fIt seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men gthat have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore hJudas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by †mouth. 28 For fiit seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from kmeats offered to idols, and from lblood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. mFare ye well.