^{6 Ref} And there were gathered together the apostles and the elders, to see about this matter,

^{7 Ref} and there having been much disputing, Peter having risen up said unto them, `Men, brethren, ye know that from former days, God among us did make choice, through my mouth, for the nations to hear the word of the good news, and to believe;

^{8 Ref} and the heart-knowing God did bare them testimony, having given to them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us,

^{9 Ref} and did put no difference also between us and them, by the faith having purified their hearts;

^{10 Ref} now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

^{11 Ref} but, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, even as also they.'

^{12 Ref} And all the multitude did keep silence, and were hearkening to Barnabas and Paul, declaring as many signs and wonders as God did among the nations through them;

^{13 Ref} and after they are silent, James answered, saying, `Men, brethren, hearken to me;

^{14 Ref} Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,

^{15 Ref} and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it hath been written:

^{16 Ref} After these things I will turn back, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen down, and its ruins I will build again, and will set it upright --

^{17 Ref} that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the nations, upon whom My name hath been called, saith the Lord, who is doing all these things.

^{18 Ref} `Known from the ages to God are all His works;

^{19 Ref} wherefore I judge: not to trouble those who from the nations do turn back to God,

^{20 Ref} but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;

^{21 Ref} for Moses from former generations in every city hath those preaching him -- in the synagogues every sabbath being read.'