Acts 15:22-41

21st Century King James Version

²² Then it pleased the apostles and elders, together with the whole church, to send men chosen from their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas surnamed Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.

²³ And they wrote letters to accompany them in this manner: “The apostles and elders and brethren send greetings unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

²⁴ Inasmuch as we have heard that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, ‘Ye must be circumcised and keep the law’ — to whom we gave no such commandment —

²⁵ it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

²⁶ men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁷ We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

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

²⁹ that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If ye keep yourselves from these things, ye shall do well. Fare ye well!”

³⁰ So when they were sent off, they went to Antioch. And when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle;

³¹ and when they had read it, they rejoiced in its consolation.

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

³³ And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace by the brethren to return unto the apostles.

³⁴ Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to remain there still.

³⁵ Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also.

³⁶ And some days later, Paul said unto Barnabas, “Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the Word of the Lord, and see how they do.”

³⁷ And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

³⁸ But Paul thought it not good to take him with them, as he had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them in the work.

³⁹ And the contention was so sharp between them that they parted asunder, one from the other; and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

⁴⁰ And Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

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