22Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment—
25it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
30So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
32Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.
33And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”
37Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
38But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
39Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
40but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
