22
Thereupon it was decided by the Apostles and Elders, with the approval of the whole Church, to choose suitable persons from among themselves and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas. Judas, called Bar-sabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, were selected,
23
and they took with them the following letter: "The Apostles and the elder brethren send greeting to the Gentile brethren throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
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As we have been informed that certain persons who have gone out from among us have disturbed you by their teaching and have unsettled your minds, without having received any such instructions from us;
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we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them to you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
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who have endangered their very lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves bringing you the same message by word of mouth.
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For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no burden heavier than these necessary requirements--
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You must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear of these things, and it will be well with you. Farewell."