1And certain men who came down from Judaea taught the brethren, saying, Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. 2Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. 3And being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling of the conversion of the Gentiles: and they brought great joy to all the brethren. 4And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5But some from the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, rose up, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. 6And the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Brethren, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8And God, who knows the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did to us; 9And he made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you put God to the test by putting a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, just as they will. 12Then all the multitude kept silence, and listened as Barnabas and Paul declared what miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them. 13And after they had finished, James answered, Brethren, listen to me: 14Simeon has declared how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And with this the words of the prophets agree; as it is written, 16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will build again the ruins, and I will set it up: 17That the rest of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, who are called by my name, 18Says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old. 19Therefore, my judgment is that we do not trouble those who have turned to God from among the Gentiles: 20But that we write to them, to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from sexual immorality, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read in the synagogues every sabbath day. 22Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to choose men from their own company to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; so they sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brethren: 23And they sent this letter with them; The brethren, both apostles and elders, send greetings to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24Since we have heard that some, to whom we gave no such commandment, went out from us and have troubled you with their words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: 25It seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26Men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who shall tell you the same things by mouth. 28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29That you abstain from foods offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you shall do well. Farewell. 30So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter: 31When they had read it, the people rejoiced at the exhortation. 32And Judas and Silas, being prophets themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and strengthened them. 33And after they had remained there a time, they were let go in peace by the brethren to those who had sent them. 34[But it pleased Silas to remain there.] 35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, along with many others. 36And some days later Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are. 37And Barnabas wanted to take with them John, called Mark. 38But Paul did not think it good to take him with them, for he had deserted them in Pamphylia, and did not continue with them in the work. 39And the disagreement was so sharp between them, that they separated from each other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus; 40And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.