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Acts 15:19-31
New American Standard Bible
Acts 15:19-31
New American Standard Bible
19 Therefore, it is (A)my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from [a](B)things contaminated by idols, from (C)acts of sexual immorality, from (D)what has been [b]strangled, and from blood. 21 For (E)from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since [c]he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Then it seemed good to (F)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to (G)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and (H)Silas, leading men among (I)the brothers, 23 and they [d]sent this letter with them:
“(J)The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to (K)the brothers and sisters in (L)Antioch, (M)Syria, and (N)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: (O)Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that (P)some [e]of our number to whom we gave no instruction have (Q)confused you by their [f]teaching, upsetting your souls, 25 (R)it seemed good to us, having [g]become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have [h](S)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore, we have sent (T)Judas and (U)Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For (V)it seemed good to (W)the Holy Spirit and to (X)us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from (Y)things sacrificed to idols, from (Z)blood, from (AA)things strangled, and from (AB)acts of sexual immorality; [i]if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 So when they were sent away, (AC)they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the [j]congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its [k]encouragement.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 15:20 Lit the pollutions of
- Acts 15:20 I.e., to retain the blood
- Acts 15:21 I.e., the books of Moses, Gen through Deut
- Acts 15:23 Lit wrote by their hand
- Acts 15:24 Lit from us
- Acts 15:24 Lit words
- Acts 15:25 Or met together
- Acts 15:26 Lit given over
- Acts 15:29 Lit from which keeping yourselves free
- Acts 15:30 Or multitude
- Acts 15:31 Or exhortation
Acts 15:19-31
New International Version
Acts 15:19-31
New International Version
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols,(A) from sexual immorality,(B) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.(C) 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”(D)
The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers
22 Then the apostles and elders,(E) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch(F) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,(G) men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:
The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch,(H) Syria(I) and Cilicia:(J)
Greetings.(K)
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.(L) 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives(M) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas(N) to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit(O) and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.(P) You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.
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