St. James of Jerusalem—Acts 15:12-22a; James 1:1-12

<p><strong>Acts 15:12–22 (NKJV)</strong></p><p><strong>12</strong> Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. <strong>13</strong> And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men <em>and</em> brethren, listen to me: <strong>14</strong> Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. <strong>15</strong> And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:</p><p><strong>16</strong> ‘<em>After</em> <em>this I will return</em></p><p><em>And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;</em></p><p><em>I will rebuild its ruins,</em></p><p><em>And I will set it up;</em></p><p><strong>17</strong> <em>So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,</em></p><p><em>Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name</em>,</p><p><em>Says the Lord who does all these things.’</em></p><p><strong>18</strong> “Known to God from eternity are all His works. <strong>19</strong> Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, <strong>20</strong> but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, <em>from</em> sexual immorality, <em>from</em> things strangled, and <em>from</em> blood. <strong>21</strong> For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”</p><p><strong>22</strong> Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, <em>namely,</em> Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.</p>