¹² The whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul, who reported all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

¹³ After they finished speaking, James responded, “Gentlemen, brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴ Simon has reported how God for the first time has visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. ¹⁵ The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

¹⁸ “Long ago he made these things known. ¹⁹ So it is my judgment that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God. ²⁰ Instead we should write a letter telling them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. ²¹ For from ancient times Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, since he is being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

²² Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, thought it would be best to choose men from their group to send to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leading men among the brothers.

Greeting

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes who are scattered^[a] abroad:

Greetings.

Patient Endurance, Wisdom, Prayer, and Faith

² Consider it complete joy, my brothers,^[b] whenever you fall into various kinds of trials, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces patient endurance. ⁴ And let patient endurance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

⁵ If any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives it to all without reservation and without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, without doubting, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ In fact, that person should not expect that he will receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Rich and Poor

⁹ Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his high position, ¹⁰ and the rich one in his humble position, because he will pass away like a flower of the grass. ¹¹ Indeed, the sun rises with burning heat and dries up the grass. Its blossom falls off, and its beauty perishes. In the same way also, the rich person will wither away in his busy pursuits.

Temptation

¹² Blessed is the man who endures a trial patiently, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God^[c] promised to those who love him.

A Prophet Without Honor

⁵⁴ Jesus entered his hometown and taught in their synagogue. As a result, the people were amazed and said, “Where did this fellow get this wisdom and these miracles? ⁵⁵ Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother named Mary? And aren’t James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas his brothers? ⁵⁶ And aren’t all of his sisters here with us? Where then did this fellow get all of these things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own hometown and in his own house.” ⁵⁸ He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.