Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with all the assembly [the church], to send delegates from themselves to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,

AND certain persons having come down from Judea taught the brothers, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved. There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question. They, therefore, being sent forward by the church, went to Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the gentiles, and caused great joy to all the brothers. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them. But some of those of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, rose and said, that it is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, Men and brothers, you know that in former days God chose among you that the gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel and believe. And the heart-searching God testified to them, giving to them the Holy Spirit even as to us, and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by the faith. Now, therefore, why do you try God, to put on the necks of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we could bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same manner as they. And all the multitude was silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul relate what miracles and prodigies God performed among the gentiles through them. And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men and brothers, hear me. Simeon has related how God first visited the gentiles to take a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this will I return and build up the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, and rebuild its ruins, and set it up, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, even all the nations on whom my name has been called, says the Lord who does these things, known from eternity. Wherefore I judge that we ought not to trouble those who turned to God from the gentiles, but to send to them to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and fornication, and things strangled, and blood. For Moses from ancient times has those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every sabbath. Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with all the assembly [the church], to send delegates from themselves to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, writing by their hand, The apostles and elders and brothers, to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are of the gentiles, greeting. Since we heard that some going out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls, to whom we gave no charge, it seemed good to us, being of one opinion, to send delegates to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they will tell you the same things by word. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put no greater burden upon you except these necessary things; that you should abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication, from which if you keep yourselves you will do well. Farewell. They, therefore, being dismissed went to Antioch, and assembling the multitude delivered the epistle. And reading it they rejoiced at the exhortation. And Judas and Silas being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brothers with much argument, and confirmed them. And having staid [some] time, they were dismissed in peace by the brothers to those that sent them. (Added verse not retained in Sawyer) But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others the word of the Lord.


AND certain persons having come down from Judea taught the brothers, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved. There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question. They, therefore, being sent forward by the church, went to Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the gentiles, and caused great joy to all the brothers. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them. But some of those of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, rose and said, that it is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, Men and brothers, you know that in former days God chose among you that the gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel and believe. And the heart-searching God testified to them, giving to them the Holy Spirit even as to us, and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by the faith. Now, therefore, why do you try God, to put on the necks of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we could bear?

Since we heard that some going out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls, to whom we gave no charge,

But Titus who was with me, and was a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised; but on account of false brothers brought in secretly to act as spies against our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, to bring us into servitude, we did not yield to them by subjection, for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.


for as many of you as are baptized in Christ, have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither servant nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he follows not with us. And Jesus said to him, Forbid him not; for whoever is not against us is for us.

And John spoke to him, saying, Teacher, we saw some one casting out demons in your name, who follows not us, and we forbade him. And Jesus said, Forbid him not; for no one will perform a mighty work in my name, and be able lightly to speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is for us; read more.
and whoever gives you a cup of water because you are Christ's, truly he shall not lose his reward.

If therefore God gave the gift equally to them and to us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I should be able to forbid God? And hearing these things they were silent, and glorified God, saying, Then to the gentiles also has God indeed given the change of mind to life.

AND certain persons having come down from Judea taught the brothers, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved. There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question. They, therefore, being sent forward by the church, went to Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the gentiles, and caused great joy to all the brothers. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them. But some of those of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, rose and said, that it is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, Men and brothers, you know that in former days God chose among you that the gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel and believe. And the heart-searching God testified to them, giving to them the Holy Spirit even as to us, and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by the faith. Now, therefore, why do you try God, to put on the necks of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we could bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same manner as they. And all the multitude was silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul relate what miracles and prodigies God performed among the gentiles through them. And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men and brothers, hear me. Simeon has related how God first visited the gentiles to take a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this will I return and build up the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, and rebuild its ruins, and set it up, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, even all the nations on whom my name has been called, says the Lord who does these things, known from eternity. Wherefore I judge that we ought not to trouble those who turned to God from the gentiles, but to send to them to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and fornication, and things strangled, and blood. For Moses from ancient times has those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every sabbath. Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with all the assembly [the church], to send delegates from themselves to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, writing by their hand, The apostles and elders and brothers, to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are of the gentiles, greeting. Since we heard that some going out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls, to whom we gave no charge, it seemed good to us, being of one opinion, to send delegates to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they will tell you the same things by word. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put no greater burden upon you except these necessary things; that you should abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication, from which if you keep yourselves you will do well. Farewell. They, therefore, being dismissed went to Antioch, and assembling the multitude delivered the epistle. And reading it they rejoiced at the exhortation.

PAUL, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart to the gospel of God,??2 which he promised by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures,??3 concerning his Son born of the posterity of David as to the flesh, declared to be the Son of God in power as to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead,??esus Christ our Lord,??5 through whom we have received grace and an apostleship for the obedience of the faith in all nations in behalf of his name, among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ,??7 to all who are at Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am a debtor both to the Greeks and the Barbarians, both to the wise and the ignorant; so that as far as depends upon me I am ready also to preach the gospel to those at Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes, the Jew first and also the Greek.

Wherefore by the works of the law there shall no flesh be justified is his sight, for by the law there is an acknowledgment of sin. BUT now God's righteousness has been made manifest without the law, being testified to by the law and the prophets, but God's righteousness is through the faith of Jesus Christ, in all and upon all that believe. For there is no difference; read more.
for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth [to be] a propitiator through faith in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing by of the errors committed previously in the forbearance of God, to show his righteousness at the present time, that he may be righteous and justify him that is of faith. Where then is the boasting [of the Jew]? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No; but by the law of faith. We conclude then that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law. Is God [a God] of the Jews alone? and not also of the gentiles? Yes, also of the gentiles, since there is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through the [same] faith. Do we then abrogate the law by the faith? By no means; but we establish the law.

Having been justified therefore by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have been introduced into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

For he is our peace, who made both one and broke down the middle wall of partition, the enmity, and abolished by his flesh the law of commandments [consisting] of ordinances, that of the two he might create in himself one new man, making peace, and reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having destroyed the enmity by it. read more.
And he came and preached the good news of peace to you who were far off, and peace to those nigh,

where there are not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, servant, freeman, but Christ is all things and in all. Put on, therefore, as elect and beloved saints of God, hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another if any one has a charge against any, as Christ forgave you, so [do] you also, read more.
and in addition to all these [put on] love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for which you have been called in one body; and be thankful.


And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them.


AND certain persons having come down from Judea taught the brothers, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved. There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question. They, therefore, being sent forward by the church, went to Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the gentiles, and caused great joy to all the brothers. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them. But some of those of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, rose and said, that it is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, Men and brothers, you know that in former days God chose among you that the gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel and believe. And the heart-searching God testified to them, giving to them the Holy Spirit even as to us, and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by the faith. Now, therefore, why do you try God, to put on the necks of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we could bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same manner as they. And all the multitude was silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul relate what miracles and prodigies God performed among the gentiles through them. And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men and brothers, hear me. Simeon has related how God first visited the gentiles to take a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this will I return and build up the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, and rebuild its ruins, and set it up, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, even all the nations on whom my name has been called, says the Lord who does these things, known from eternity. Wherefore I judge that we ought not to trouble those who turned to God from the gentiles, but to send to them to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and fornication, and things strangled, and blood. For Moses from ancient times has those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every sabbath. Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with all the assembly [the church], to send delegates from themselves to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, writing by their hand, The apostles and elders and brothers, to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are of the gentiles, greeting. Since we heard that some going out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls, to whom we gave no charge, it seemed good to us, being of one opinion, to send delegates to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they will tell you the same things by word. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put no greater burden upon you except these necessary things; that you should abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication, from which if you keep yourselves you will do well. Farewell.


And each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send help to the brethren living in Judea; which they also did, sending to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

AND certain persons having come down from Judea taught the brothers, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved. There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question. They, therefore, being sent forward by the church, went to Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the gentiles, and caused great joy to all the brothers. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them. But some of those of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, rose and said, that it is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, Men and brothers, you know that in former days God chose among you that the gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel and believe. And the heart-searching God testified to them, giving to them the Holy Spirit even as to us, and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by the faith. Now, therefore, why do you try God, to put on the necks of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we could bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same manner as they. And all the multitude was silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul relate what miracles and prodigies God performed among the gentiles through them. And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men and brothers, hear me. Simeon has related how God first visited the gentiles to take a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this will I return and build up the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, and rebuild its ruins, and set it up, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, even all the nations on whom my name has been called, says the Lord who does these things, known from eternity. Wherefore I judge that we ought not to trouble those who turned to God from the gentiles, but to send to them to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and fornication, and things strangled, and blood. For Moses from ancient times has those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every sabbath. Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with all the assembly [the church], to send delegates from themselves to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, writing by their hand, The apostles and elders and brothers, to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are of the gentiles, greeting. Since we heard that some going out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls, to whom we gave no charge, it seemed good to us, being of one opinion, to send delegates to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they will tell you the same things by word. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put no greater burden upon you except these necessary things; that you should abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication, from which if you keep yourselves you will do well. Farewell. They, therefore, being dismissed went to Antioch, and assembling the multitude delivered the epistle. And reading it they rejoiced at the exhortation. And Judas and Silas being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brothers with much argument, and confirmed them. And having staid [some] time, they were dismissed in peace by the brothers to those that sent them. (Added verse not retained in Sawyer) But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others the word of the Lord.



And when he went through the cities he gave them the ordinances to observe which had been determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. Then the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

And from Miletus sending to Ephesus he called for the elders of the church.

Take heed to yourselves, therefore, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he has purchased with his blood. For I know that after my departure grievous wolves will come among you, not sparing the flock, and of yourselves men will arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. read more.
Wherefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not to admonish every one of you with tears. And now I commend you to God, and the word of his grace, who is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance with all the sanctified.

And on the following day Paul went with us to James, and all the elders were present.

Let the elders who rule well be accounted worthy of a double compensation, especially those who labor in word and teaching. For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that threshes; and, The laborer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, except by two or three witnesses.

For this cause I left you in Crete, that you might regulate things which are deficient, and appoint elders in every city, as I charged you, if any one is blameless, a husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of intemperance or of insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-indulgent, not soon angry, not given to wine, not contentious, not devoted to base gain, read more.
but a lover of hospitality, kind, sober, just, holy, self-denying, holding firmly the faithful word taught, that he may be able both to exhort with sound instruction and to convince those who contradict.

For by it the ancients obtained a good repute.

if any one is sick among you, let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

The elders among you I exhort, who am a co-elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed; feed the flock of God which is among you, not by constraint but willingly, not for base gain but of a ready mind, not as having a lordship over God's inheritance but being examples to the flock; read more.
and when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive an unfading crown of glory. Let the younger in like manner be subject to the elder, and do you all be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

THE elder to the elect Curia and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only but also all who have known the truth,

THE elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.


And the apostles and elders were assembled together to see about this matter.

And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them.



AND certain persons having come down from Judea taught the brothers, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved. There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question. They, therefore, being sent forward by the church, went to Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the gentiles, and caused great joy to all the brothers. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them. But some of those of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, rose and said, that it is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, Men and brothers, you know that in former days God chose among you that the gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel and believe. And the heart-searching God testified to them, giving to them the Holy Spirit even as to us, and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by the faith. Now, therefore, why do you try God, to put on the necks of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we could bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same manner as they. And all the multitude was silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul relate what miracles and prodigies God performed among the gentiles through them. And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men and brothers, hear me. Simeon has related how God first visited the gentiles to take a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this will I return and build up the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, and rebuild its ruins, and set it up, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, even all the nations on whom my name has been called, says the Lord who does these things, known from eternity. Wherefore I judge that we ought not to trouble those who turned to God from the gentiles, but to send to them to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and fornication, and things strangled, and blood. For Moses from ancient times has those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every sabbath. Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with all the assembly [the church], to send delegates from themselves to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, writing by their hand, The apostles and elders and brothers, to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are of the gentiles, greeting. Since we heard that some going out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls, to whom we gave no charge, it seemed good to us, being of one opinion, to send delegates to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they will tell you the same things by word. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put no greater burden upon you except these necessary things; that you should abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication, from which if you keep yourselves you will do well. Farewell.


but if by grace, no longer by works; for otherwise grace is no longer grace; but if by works, it is no longer grace; for otherwise a work is no longer a work.

But when I saw that they walked not correctly, according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before all, If you being a Jew live after the manner of the gentiles, and not after the manner of the Jews, why do you compel the gentiles to practise Judaism? For we Jews by race and not sinners of the gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we also have believed in Jesus Christ, that we may be justified by faith and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no flesh be justified. read more.
But if seeking to be justified by Christ we are found to be ourselves also sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? By no means. For if I build up again what I have destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For by a law I have died to the law, that I may live to God. I am crucified with Christ; and I no longer live myself, but Christ lives in me; and the present life which I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not reject the grace of God; for if rightousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing.


There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question.

And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them.


AND certain persons having come down from Judea taught the brothers, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved. There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question. They, therefore, being sent forward by the church, went to Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the gentiles, and caused great joy to all the brothers. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them. But some of those of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, rose and said, that it is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, Men and brothers, you know that in former days God chose among you that the gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel and believe. And the heart-searching God testified to them, giving to them the Holy Spirit even as to us, and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by the faith. Now, therefore, why do you try God, to put on the necks of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we could bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same manner as they. And all the multitude was silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul relate what miracles and prodigies God performed among the gentiles through them. And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men and brothers, hear me. Simeon has related how God first visited the gentiles to take a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this will I return and build up the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, and rebuild its ruins, and set it up, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, even all the nations on whom my name has been called, says the Lord who does these things, known from eternity. Wherefore I judge that we ought not to trouble those who turned to God from the gentiles, but to send to them to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and fornication, and things strangled, and blood. For Moses from ancient times has those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every sabbath. Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with all the assembly [the church], to send delegates from themselves to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, writing by their hand, The apostles and elders and brothers, to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are of the gentiles, greeting. Since we heard that some going out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls, to whom we gave no charge, it seemed good to us, being of one opinion, to send delegates to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they will tell you the same things by word. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put no greater burden upon you except these necessary things; that you should abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication, from which if you keep yourselves you will do well. Farewell.