15 22 Then the apostles and elders, with the agreement of the whole church, resolved to choose representatives and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose two leading men in the community, Judas Barsabbas and Silas 15 23 and gave them this letter to deliver:
'We, the apostles and elders, send greetings as brothers to our brothers of gentile origin in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. 15 24 Forasmuch as we have heard that some of our number, without any instructions from us, have Some witnesses read: have gone out and ... disturbed you with their talk and unsettled your minds, 15 25 we have resolved unanimously to send to you our chosen representatives with our well-beloved Barnabas and Paul, 15 26 who have devoted themselves to the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 27 We are therefore sending Judas and Silas, who will themselves confirm this by word of mouth. 15 28 It is the decision of the Holy Spirit, and our decision, to lay no further burden upon you beyond these essentials: 15 29 you are to abstain from meat that has been offered to idols, from blood, from anything that has been strangled, Some witnesses omit: from anything that has been strangled. and from fornication. Some witnesses omit: and from fornication: and some add: and refrain from doing what you would not like done to yourselves. If you keep yourselves free from these things you will be doing right. Farewell.'
15 30 So they were sent off on their journey and travelled down to Antioch, where they called the congregation together, and delivered the letter. 15 31 When it was read, they all rejoiced at the encouragement it brought. 15 32 Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, said much to encourage and strengthen the members, 15 33 and, after spending some time there, were dismissed with the good wishes of the brethren, to return to those who had sent them." 15 34 Some manuscripts add: But Silas decided to remain there. 15 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed on at Antioch, and there, along with many others, they taught and preached the word of the Lord.