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)

¹⁵ “They will know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations^(A) and scatter them through the countries.

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,^(A)

To God’s elect,^(B) exiles^(C) scattered^(D) throughout the provinces of Pontus,^(E) Galatia,^(F) Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,^(G)

³⁵ The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered^(A) among the Greeks,^(B) and teach the Greeks?

8 And Saul^(A) approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered^(B) throughout Judea and Samaria.^(C)

⁷ This is the promise our twelve tribes^(A) are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night.^(B) King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.^(C)

1 Paul, a servant of God^(A) and an apostle^(B) of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth^(C) that leads to godliness^(D)—

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.

²³ With them they sent the following letter: