Acts 15:20

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.
- King James Version

but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
- American Standard Version (1901)

But that we give them orders to keep themselves from things offered to false gods, and from the evil desires of the body, and from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the law, and from blood.
- Basic English Bible

but to write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
- Darby Bible

But that we write to them that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from lewdness, and from things strangled, and from blood.
- Webster's Bible

Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things polluted by connexion with idolatry, from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood.
- Weymouth Bible

but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.
- World English Bible

to be not disesid, but to write to hem, that thei absteyne hem fro defoulingis of maumetis, and fro fornicacioun, and stranglid thingis, and blood.
- Wycliffe Bible

but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;
- Youngs Literal Bible

Wesley's Notes for Acts 15:20

15:20 To abstain from fornication - Which even the philosophers among the heathens did not account any fault. It was particularly frequent in the worship of their idols, on which account they are here named together. And from things strangled - That is, from whatever had been killed, without pouring out the blood. When God first permitted man to eat flesh, he commanded Noah, and in him all his posterity, whenever they killed any creature for food, to abstain from the blood thereof. It was to be poured upon the ground as water: doubtless in honour of that blood which was in due time poured out for the sin of the world.

People's Bible Notes for Acts 15:20

Ac 15:20 That they abstain. Four items are mentioned, which are all embraced in the apostolic letter as things forbidden. They were four common customs of the Gentile world, and matters on which there should be a clear understanding. From the pollutions of idols. The first does not mean only to refrain from worshiping idols, or eating meat offered in idol sacrifice, but from all the pollutions of the system of idolatry. Licentiousness and drunkenness received a sanction from religion. See Lecky's "European Morals", chap. V., and Conybeare and Howson's "Paul", chap. IV. [From] fornication. Chastity was the exception instead of the rule among Gentiles at this period. [From] things strangled. Because in strangling the blood was retained in the flesh. [From] blood. The use of blood was prohibited by the Mosaic law (Le 17:14 De 12:16,23), and for wise reasons this prohibition was extended to Gentiles. The Roman epicures were wont to drown fowls in wine and then use the flesh. It was a common thing to drink wine mingled with blood. The only way to strike at these savage practices was to prohibit its use.