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with this letter: From the apostles and leaders, your friends, to our friends in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Hello!
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We heard that some men from our church went to you and said things that confused and upset you. Mind you, they had no authority from us; we didn't send them.
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We have agreed unanimously to pick representatives and send them to you with our good friends Barnabas and Paul.
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We picked men we knew you could trust, Judas and Silas - they've looked death in the face time and again for the sake of our Master Jesus Christ.
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We've sent them to confirm in a face-to-face meeting with you what we've written.
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It seemed to the Holy Spirit and to us that you should not be saddled with any crushing burden, but be responsible only for these bare necessities:
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Be careful not to get involved in activities connected with idols; avoid serving food offensive to Jewish Christians (blood, for instance); and guard the morality of sex and marriage. These guidelines are sufficient to keep relations congenial between us. And God be with you! Barnabas and Paul Go Their Separate Ways
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And so off they went to Antioch. On arrival, they gathered the church and read the letter.
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The people were greatly relieved and pleased.
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Judas and Silas, good preachers both of them, strengthened their new friends with many words of courage and hope.
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Then it was time to go home. They were sent off by their new friends with laughter and embraces all around to report back to those who had sent them.