1. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in
the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.

15:22. Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church,
to choose men of their own company and to send to Antioch with Paul and
Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men
among the brethren.

15:23. Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to
the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch and in Syria and
Cilicia, greeting.

15:24. Forasmuch as we have heard that some going out from us have
troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no
commandment:

15:25. It hath seemed good to us, being assembled together, to choose
out men and to send them unto you, with our well beloved Barnabas and
Paul:

15:26. Men that have given their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.

15:27. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will,
by word of mouth, tell you the same things.

15:28. For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay no
further burden upon you than these necessary things:

15:29. That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood
and from things strangled and from fornication: from which things
keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well.

From blood, and from things strangled... The use of these things, though
of their own nature indifferent, was here prohibited, to bring the Jews
more easily to admit of the society of the Gentiles; and to exercise the
latter in obedience. But this prohibition was but temporary, and has
long since ceased to oblige; more especially in the western churches.

15:30. They therefore, being dismissed, went down to Antioch and,
gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle.

15:31. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

15:32. But Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, with many
words comforted the brethren and confirmed them.

15:33. And after they had spent some time there, they were let go with
peace by the brethren unto them that had sent them.

15:34. But it seemed good unto Silas to remain there: and Judas alone
departed to Jerusalem.

15:35. And Paul and Barnabas continued at Antioch, teaching and
preaching, with many others, the word of the Lord.

15:36. And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas: Let us return and
visit our brethren in all the cities wherein we ha