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)

Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law^(A)(B)

²⁰ Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered,^(C) so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.^{(D) 21} When his family^[a] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”^(E)

⁵ For even his own brothers did not believe in him.^(A)

⁷ Then he appeared to James,^(A) then to all the apostles,^(B)

⁵ “But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’^{(A) 6} then his master must take him before the judges.^[a](B) He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce^(C) his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.^(D)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(A) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(B) just as you would obey Christ.^(C)

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect,^(A) so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.^(B)

⁹ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything,^(A) to try to please them, not to talk back to them,

¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,^(A) not only to those who are good and considerate,^(B) but also to those who are harsh.