1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren , and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses , ye cannot be saved .
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them , they determined that Paul and Barnabas , and certain other of them , should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question .
3 And being brought on their way by the church , they passed through Phenice and Samaria , declaring the conversion of the Gentiles : and they caused great joy unto all the brethren .
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem , they were received of the church , and of the apostles and elders , and they declared all things that God had done with them .
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed , saying , That it was needful to circumcise them , and to command them to keep the law of Moses .
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter .
7 And when there had been much disputing , Peter rose up , and said unto them , Men and brethren , ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us , that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel , and believe .
8 And God , which knoweth the hearts , bare them witness , giving them the Holy Ghost , even as he did unto us ;
9 And put no difference between us and them , purifying their hearts by faith .
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God , to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples , which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear ?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved , even as they .
12 Then all the multitude kept silence , and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul , declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them .
13 And after they had held their peace , James answered , saying , Men and brethren , hearken unto me :
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles , to take out of them a people for his name .
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets ; as it is written ,
16 After this I will return , and will build again the tabernacle of David , which is fallen down ; and I will build again the ruins thereof , and I will set it up :
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord , and all the Gentiles , upon whom my name is called , saith the Lord , who doeth all these things .
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world .
19 Wherefore my sentence is , that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God :
20 But that we write unto them , that they abstain from pollutions of idols , and from fornication , and from things strangled , and from blood .
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him , being read in the synagogues every sabbath day .
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders , with the whole church , to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas ; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas , and Silas , chief men among the brethren :
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner ; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia :
24 Forasmuch as we have heard , that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words , subverting your souls , saying , Ye must be circumcised , and keep the law : to whom we gave no such commandment :
25 It seemed good unto us , being assembled with one accord , to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul ,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ .
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas , who shall also tell you the same things by mouth .
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost , and to us , to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things ;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols , and from blood , and from things strangled , and from fornication : from which if ye keep yourselves , ye shall do well . Fare ye well .
30 So when they were dismissed , they came to Antioch : and when they had gathered the multitude together , they delivered the epistle :
31 Which when they had read , they rejoiced for the consolation .
32 And Judas and Silas , being prophets also themselves , exhorted the brethren with many words , and confirmed them.
33 And after they had tarried there a space , they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles .
34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still .
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch , teaching and preaching the word of the Lord , with many others also .
36 And some days after Paul said unto 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 do .
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John , whose surname was Mark .
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them , who departed from them from Pamphylia , and went not with them to the work .
39 And the contention was so sharp between them , that they departed asunder one from the other : and so Barnabas took Mark , and sailed unto Cyprus ;
40 And Paul chose Silas , and departed , being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God .
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia , confirming the churches .
