The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then it seemed good to (A)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called (B)Barsabbas, and (C)Silas, leading men among (D)the brothers, 23 with the following letter: (E)“The brothers, both (F)the apostles and the elders, to the brothers[a] who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, (G)greetings. 24 Since we have heard that (H)some persons have gone out from us and (I)troubled you[b] with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come (J)to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our (K)beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 (L)men who have (M)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent (N)Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good (O)to the Holy Spirit and (P)to us (Q)to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 (R)that you abstain from (S)what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves (T)prophets, encouraged and (U)strengthened (V)the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off (W)in peace by (X)the brothers to those who had sent them.[c] 35 But (Y)Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit (Z)the brothers (AA)in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them (AB)John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one (AC)who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose (AD)a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. (AE)Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, (AF)having been commended by (AG)the brothers to (AH)the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, (AI)strengthening the churches.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:23 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 32, 33, 36
  2. Acts 15:24 Some manuscripts some persons from us have troubled you
  3. Acts 15:33 Some manuscripts insert verse 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there

Bible Gateway Recommends

Psalms, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Psalms, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Retail: $15.99
Our Price: $10.99
Save: $5.00 (31%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
John, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
John, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Retail: $6.99
Our Price: $4.79
Save: $2.20 (31%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Outreach New Testament, Large Print, Softcover
ESV Outreach New Testament, Large Print, Softcover
Retail: $3.99
Our Price: $2.49
Save: $1.50 (38%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Student Study Bible (TruTone, Gray), Leather, imitation, Grey
ESV Student Study Bible (TruTone, Gray), Leather, imitation, Grey
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $28.99
Save: $16.00 (36%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Plum
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Plum
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $20.99
Save: $24.00 (53%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars