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people who have given their lives to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.
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So we are sending Judas and Silas, who will tell you the same things.
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It has pleased the Holy Spirit that you should not have a heavy load to carry, and we agree. You need to do only these things:
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Stay away from any food that has been offered to idols, eating any animals that have been strangled, and blood, and any kind of sexual sin. If you stay away from these things, you will do well. Good-bye.
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So they left Jerusalem and went to Antioch where they gathered the church and gave them the letter.
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When they read it, they were very happy because of the encouraging message.
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Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said many things to encourage the believers and make them stronger.
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After some time Judas and Silas were sent off in peace by the believers, and they went back to those who had sent them.
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But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch and, along with many others, preached the Good News and taught the people the message of the Lord.
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After some time, Paul said to Barnabas, "We should go back to all those towns where we preached the message of the Lord. Let's visit the believers and see how they are doing."