1And some came down from Judea and taught the brothers that unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved.2When an uprising and no small controversy had arisen with Paul and Barnabas, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and certain others from among them to go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem concerning this question.3Therefore those who had been sent on their way by the assembly passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, relating in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.4When they arrived at Jerusalem they were welcomed by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed rose up and said that it is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.6The apostles and the elders gathered together to consider this matter.7After much debate Peter stood up and said to them, Brothers, you know that from the early days God chose among you that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us.9He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.10Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?11But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.12And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.13After they finished speaking, James replied, Brothers, listen to me.14Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for his name.15And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written.16After this I will return and rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins and restore it.17So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does these things.18Known from of old.19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.20But we should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood.21For from ancient generations Moses has had those who preach him in every city, being read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.