Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and believe. (8)And God, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us; (9)and made no difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith. (10)Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? (11)But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same way as they. (12)Then the whole multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating how great signs and miracles God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. (13)Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and brethren, hear me: (14)Simon hath fully related, how at first God graciously looked upon _the Gentiles_, to take from them a people for his name. (15)And in accord with this are the words of the prophets; as it is written, (16)"After this will I return, and build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and re-edify what hath been dug up from the foundation, and will set it upright again: (17)that the residue of men may diligently seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, among whom my name is invoked, even among them, saith the Lord, who doth all these things[46]." (18)Known unto God from the beginning are all his works. (19)Therefore I am decided, that we give no unnecessary disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to God: (20)but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol _sacrifices_, and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from blood. (21)For Moses for ages past in every city hath those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. (22)Then it was determined by the apostles and presbyters with the whole church, to send select men from themselves unto Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren; (23)writing a letter by their hand, in these words: