6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. |
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. |
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; |
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. |
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? |
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. |
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. |
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: |
14 Simeon hath 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 the prophets; as it is written, |
16 After this I will return, and will 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 from the beginning of the world. |
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: |
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. |
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. |
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: |
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: |
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain 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 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, |
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. |
28 For it 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 meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. |
30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: |
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. |
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. |
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. |
34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. |
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. |
