1But certain men coming down from Judea taught the brethren, Except ye be circumcised, after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had had no small contention and debate with them, they determined, that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them, should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about this question. 3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4And being come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and the apostles, and elders; and they declared all things which God had done with them. 5But there rose up, said they, certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, That we ought to circumcise them, and command them to keep the law of Moses. 6And the apostles and elders came together, to consider of this matter. 7And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know, that God long ago made choice among us, that the Gentiles should by my mouth hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8And God who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving the Holy Ghost to them, even as also to us. 9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10Now therefore why endeavour ye to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11But we believe, that through the grace of the Lord Jesus, we shall be saved, even as they. 12Then all the multitude kept silence and hearkened to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought by them among the Gentiles. 13And when they held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me. 14Simon hath declared, how God at first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this I will return and build again the fallen tabernacle of David; 16I will build again the ruins thereof, 17and will set it up, That the residue of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles on whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doth these things. 18Known unto God are all his works from eternity. 19Wherefore my sentence is, That we trouble not them who from among the Gentiles turn to God. 20But that we write to them, to abstain from things offered to idols and fornication, and things strangled and blood. 21For Moses hath of old time them that preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. 22Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren, 23Writing thus by their hand, The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren salute the brethren who are of the Gentiles, in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia. 24Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who came from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law, whom we commanded not. 25It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send to you chosen men, 26with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives, for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things by mouth. 28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, that no further burden be laid upon you than these necessary things, To abstain from meats offered to idols and blood, 29and things strangled and fornication; from which keeping yourselves ye will do well. Fare ye well. 30So being dismissed they came to Antioch, and having assembled the multitude, they delivered the epistle: 31Which having read, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted and confirmed the brethren with many words. 33And after they had tarried a space, they were dismissed with peace by the brethren to the apostles. 34But it seemed good to Silas, to remain there. 35Paul also and Barnabas abode in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also the word of the Lord. 36And after certain days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit the brethren in every city, where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. 37And Barnabas counselled, to take with them John, surnamed Mark. 38But Paul thought it not right to take with them him, who had departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39And there was a sharp contention, so that they parted from each other; and Barnabas taking Mark with him, sailed away to Cyprus; 40But Paul having chose Silas, departed, being recommended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.