Acts 15 - Revised Standard Version(RSV)

1 and from blood.

21For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues.”

22Then it seemed good to 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 Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,

23with the following letter: “The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting.

24Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,

25it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.

28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

29that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

30So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.

31And when they read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation.

32And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words and strengthened them.

33And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brethren to those who had sent them.

34

35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”

37And Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.

38But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.

39And there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

40but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.