¹³ When they finished, James^(A) spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me.

¹⁷ Peter motioned with his hand^(A) for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James^(B) and the other brothers and sisters^(C) about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

1 James,^(A) a servant of God^(B) and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes^(C) scattered^(D) among the nations:

Greetings.^(E)

¹² For before certain men came from James,^(A) he used to eat with the Gentiles.^(B) But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.^(C)

⁹ James,^(A) Cephas^[a](B) and John, those esteemed as pillars,^(C) gave me and Barnabas^(D) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.^(E) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,^(F) and they to the circumcised.

Listening and Doing

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters,^(A) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak^(B) and slow to become angry,

¹⁹ I saw none of the other apostles—only James,^(A) the Lord’s brother.

³⁰ And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. ³¹ For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. ³² The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.^{(A) 33} For God is not a God of disorder^(B) but of peace^(C)—as in all the congregations^(D) of the Lord’s people.^(E)

22 ¹ “Brothers and fathers,^(A) listen now to my defense.”