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that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the nations, upon whom My name hath been called, saith the Lord, who is doing all these things.
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`Known from the ages to God are all His works;
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wherefore I judge: not to trouble those who from the nations do turn back to God,
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but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;
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for Moses from former generations in every city hath those preaching him -- in the synagogues every sabbath being read.'
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Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, chosen men out of themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas -- Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren --
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having written through their hand thus: `The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to those in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren, who [are] of the nations, greeting;
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seeing we have heard that certain having gone forth from us did trouble you with words, subverting your souls, saying to be circumcised and to keep the law, to whom we did give no charge,
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it seemed good to us, having come together with one accord, chosen men to send unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul --
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men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ --
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we have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they by word are telling the same things.
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`For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, no more burden to lay upon you, except these necessary things:
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to abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well; be strong!'
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They then, indeed, having been let go, went to Antioch, and having brought the multitude together, did deliver the epistle,
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and they having read, did rejoice for the consolation;
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Judas also and Silas, being themselves also prophets, through much discourse did exhort the brethren, and confirm,
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and having passed some time, they were let go with peace from the brethren unto the apostles;
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and it seemed good to Silas to remain there still.