¹⁹ “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. ²⁰ Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols,^(A) from sexual immorality,^(B) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.^{(C) 21} For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”^(D)

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

²² Then the apostles and elders,^(E) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch^(F) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,^(G) men who were leaders among the believers. ²³ With them they sent the following letter:

³⁰ So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. ³¹ The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. ³² Judas and Silas,^(Q) who themselves were prophets,^(R) said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. ³³ After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace^(S) to return to those who had sent them. ^{[34] [a] 35} But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached^(T) the word of the Lord.^(U)

Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas

³⁶ Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns^(V) where we preached the word of the Lord^(W) and see how they are doing.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,^(X) with them, ³⁸ but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them^(Y) in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. ³⁹ They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas^(Z) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.^{(AA) 41} He went through Syria^(AB) and Cilicia,^(AC) strengthening the churches.^(AD)

¹⁸ Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.^{(A) 19} Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.^(B) Keeping God’s commands is what counts. ²⁰ Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^(C)

²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;^(D) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.^{(E) 23} You were bought at a price;^(F) do not become slaves of human beings. ²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^(G)

Concerning the Unmarried

²⁵ Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord,^(H) but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy^(I) is trustworthy. ²⁶ Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.^{(J) 27} Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.^{(K) 28} But if you do marry, you have not sinned;^(L) and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

²⁹ What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short.^(M) From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; ³⁰ those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; ³¹ those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.^(N)

³² I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs^(O)—how he can please the Lord. ³³ But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— ³⁴ and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.^(P) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. ³⁵ I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided^(Q) devotion to the Lord.

³⁶ If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong^[a] and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning.^(R) They should get married. ³⁷ But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. ³⁸ So then, he who marries the virgin does right,^(S) but he who does not marry her does better.^[b]

³⁹ A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives.^(T) But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.^{(U) 40} In my judgment,^(V) she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.