First ReadingActs 15:22-31
From the Acts of the Apostles
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders,with the whole assembly,to choose men out of their company,and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas:Judas called Barsabbas,and Silas, chief men among the brothers.23They wrote these things by their hand:
“The apostles, the elders,and the brothers, to the brotherswho are of the Gentiles in Antioch,Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.24Because we have heard that somewho 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 commandment;25it seemed good to us,having come to one accord,to choose out menand send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas,who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit,and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:29that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols,from blood, from things strangled,and from sexual immorality,from which if you keep yourselves,it will be well with you. Farewell.”
30So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch.Having gathered the multitude together,they delivered the letter.31When they had read it,they rejoiced over the encouragement.