使徒行传第十五章，到底外邦人需不需要行割礼和守律法，彼得的主张是不能将这轭负在门徒的颈项上，因为得救乃是因主耶稣的恩。雅各同意彼得的意见。随后雅各说了自己的意见：不可难为那归服神的外邦人，但是要写信吩咐他们禁戒偶像的污秽和奸淫并勒死的牲畜和血。在信里，也说明了从犹太下去的那几个人是用言语搅扰门徒，惑乱门徒的心，其实使徒和长老们并没有吩咐他们。保罗和巴拿巴并耶路撒冷的弟兄首领犹大和西拉带着这封信就一起回到外邦，众人读了信，甚是欢喜。犹大和西拉也用许多话劝勉弟兄，坚固了他们。

徒15:13 他们住了声、雅各就说、诸位弟兄、请听我的话。
After they were silent, James answered, "Brothers, listen to me.
徒15:14 方才西门述说 神当初怎样眷顾外邦人、从他们中间选取百姓归于自己的名下。
Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.
徒15:15 众先知的话、也与这意思相合．
This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
徒15:16 正如经上所写的、『此后我要回来、重新修造大卫倒塌的帐幕、把那破坏的、重新修造建立起来．
'After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,
徒15:17 叫余剩的人、就是凡称为我名下的外邦人、都寻求主．
That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things.
徒15:18 这话是从创世以来、显明这事的主说的。』
All his works are known to God from eternity.'
徒15:19 所以据我的意见、不可难为那归服 神的外邦人．
"Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
徒15:20 只要写信、吩咐他们禁戒偶像的污秽和奸淫、并勒死的牲畜、和血。
but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.
徒15:21 因为从古以来、摩西的书在各城有人传讲、每逢安息日、在会堂里诵读。
For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
徒15:22 那时、使徒和长老并全教会、定意从他们中间拣选人、差他们和保罗、巴拿巴、同往安提阿去．所拣选的、就是称呼巴撒巴的犹大、和西拉、这两个人在弟兄中是作首领的。
Then 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.
徒15:23 于是写信交付他们、内中说、使徒和作长老的弟兄们、问安提阿、叙利亚、基利家外邦众弟兄的安。
They wrote these things by their hand: "The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.
徒15:24 我们听说有几个人、从我们这里出去、用言语搅扰你们、惑乱你们的心．〔有古卷在此有你们必须受割礼守摩西的律法〕其实我们并没有吩咐他们．
Because we have heard that some who 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;
徒15:28 因为圣灵和我们、定意不将别的重担放在你们身上．惟有几件事是不可少的、
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
徒15:29 就是禁戒祭偶像的物、和血、并勒死的牲畜、和奸淫．这几件你们若能自己禁戒不犯、就好了．愿你们平安。
that 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."
徒15:30 他们既奉了差遣、就下安提阿去、聚集众人、交付书信。
So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
徒15:31 众人念了、因为信上安慰的话、就欢喜了。
When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
徒15:32 犹大和西拉也是先知、就用许多话劝勉弟兄、坚固他们。
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.