James 4:2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

◄ James 4:2 ►

New International Version
You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

New Living Translation
You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

English Standard Version
You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Berean Standard Bible
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Berean Literal Bible
You desire and do not have. You kill and covet and are not able to obtain. You fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

King James Bible
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

New King James Version
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

New American Standard Bible
You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

NASB 1995
You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

NASB 1977
You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

Legacy Standard Bible
You lust and do not have, so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

Amplified Bible
You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your lust goes unfulfilled; so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain [the object of your envy]; so you fight and battle. You do not have because you do not ask [it of God].

Christian Standard Bible
You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask.

American Standard Version
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not.

Contemporary English Version
You want something you don't have, and you will do anything to get it. You will even kill! But you still cannot get what you want, and you won't get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it.

English Revised Version
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You want what you don't have, so you commit murder. You're determined to have things, but you can't get what you want. You quarrel and fight. You don't have the things you want, because you don't pray for them.

Good News Translation
You want things, but you cannot have them, so you are ready to kill; you strongly desire things, but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it.

International Standard Version
You want something but do not get it, so you commit murder. You covet something but cannot obtain it, so you quarrel and fight. You do not get things because you do not ask for them!

Majority Standard Bible
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

NET Bible
You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask;

New Heart English Bible
You lust, and do not have. You kill, covet, and cannot obtain. You fight and make war. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye lust and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Weymouth New Testament
You covet things and yet cannot get them; you commit murder; you have passionate desires and yet cannot gain your end; you begin to fight and make war. You have not, because you do not pray;

World English Bible
You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
You desire, and do not have, [so] you murder; and you are zealous, and are not able to attain, [so] you fight and war; and you do not have, because of your not asking;

Berean Literal Bible
You desire and do not have. You kill and covet and are not able to obtain. You fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Young's Literal Translation
ye desire, and ye have not; ye murder, and are zealous, and are not able to attain; ye fight and war, and ye have not, because of your not asking;

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye eagerly desire, and have not: ye kill, and are zealous, and cannot succeed: ye fight and wage war, and ye have not, because ye ask not.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
You covet, and have not: you kill, and envy, and can not obtain. You contend and war, and you have not, because you ask not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You desire, and you do not have. You envy and you kill, and you are unable to obtain. You argue and you fight, and you do not have, because you do not ask.

New American Bible
You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask.

New Revised Standard Version
You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
You covet, and do not obtain; you kill and envy, but you cannot possess; you strive and fight, yet you have nothing, because you do not ask.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
You lust and you do not possess; you murder and envy and you have no power. You fight and you do battle and you have not because you ask not.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
You desire, and you have not; you kill, and are earnestly desirous of having, and yet you can not obtain; you fight and war, and yet you have not, because you ask not.

Godbey New Testament
You lust, and you have not: you murder, and you strive, and you are not able to obtain: you fight and you war; and have not, because you do not ask:

Haweis New Testament
Ye eagerly covet, yet have not: ye murder, and are envious, yet cannot obtain your object; ye wage war, but have not, because ye pray not.

Mace New Testament
you quarrel and go to war, but without success, because you don't petition for it: and if you did,

Weymouth New Testament
You covet things and yet cannot get them; you commit murder; you have passionate desires and yet cannot gain your end; you begin to fight and make war. You have not, because you do not pray;

Worrell New Testament
Ye desire, and have not; ye kill, and envy, and cannot obtain; ye fight, and war; ye have not, because ye ask not.

Worsley New Testament
Ye desire, and ye have not: ye are envious, and jealous, and cannot obtain: ye fight and contend; but ye have not, because ye ask not.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Warning against Pride
1What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

1 John 3:22
and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.

John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

1 Peter 2:1
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

Romans 7:23
But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.

Galatians 5:17
For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

1 Corinthians 3:3
for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?

Ephesians 2:3
All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Proverbs 21:10
The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

Treasury of Scripture

You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not.

lust.

James 5:1-5
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you…

Proverbs 1:19
So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Ecclesiastes 4:8
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

kill.

James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Isaiah 7:12
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

Matthew 7:7,8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: …

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James 4

1. We are to strive against covetousness;
4. intemperance;
5. pride;
11. detraction and rash judgment of others;
13. and not to be boastful of our future plans.

Berean Study Bible

You crave
The Greek word used here is "epithumeite," which conveys a strong desire or longing. In the context of James, this craving is not just a simple want but an intense, often selfish desire that can lead to sin. Historically, this reflects the human condition post-Fall, where desires often become disordered and misaligned with God's will. The Bible consistently warns against unchecked desires, urging believers to align their cravings with God's purposes.

but do not have
This phrase highlights the futility of worldly desires. Despite intense longing, there is an inherent emptiness in pursuing things outside of God's provision. Theologically, this speaks to the insufficiency of material or earthly gains to satisfy the soul's deeper needs. The historical context of James' audience, likely facing economic and social pressures, underscores the temptation to seek fulfillment in the wrong places.

You kill
The Greek word "phoneuete" can mean literal murder or, more broadly, harboring hatred or malice, as Jesus equates hatred with murder in the heart (Matthew 5:21-22). This reflects the destructive potential of unchecked desires, leading to extreme actions. In a historical context, this could also refer to the social and relational "killing" that occurs when people are driven by envy and strife.

and covet
"Zeloute" in Greek, meaning to be zealous or envious. This word captures the idea of an intense, often negative, desire for what others have. Biblically, covetousness is condemned as it leads to discontent and strife, violating the commandment against coveting (Exodus 20:17). Historically, covetousness has been a root of many societal and personal conflicts.

but cannot obtain
This phrase emphasizes the elusive nature of worldly desires. Despite efforts and schemes, true satisfaction remains out of reach. This reflects the biblical teaching that only God can truly fulfill the deepest longings of the human heart. Historically, this would resonate with James' audience, who may have experienced the futility of striving for status or wealth.

You quarrel and fight
The Greek words "machesthe" and "polemeite" suggest ongoing disputes and battles. This reflects the relational breakdowns that occur when desires are unchecked. Biblically, such behavior is contrary to the peace and unity that should characterize the Christian community. Historically, this could refer to actual conflicts within the early church or broader societal tensions.

You do not have because you do not ask God
This phrase underscores the importance of seeking God's provision rather than relying on human effort or manipulation. Theologically, it highlights the necessity of prayer and dependence on God. The historical context suggests that James' audience may have been neglecting prayer, seeking fulfillment through worldly means instead. This serves as a reminder of the power and importance of prayer in aligning our desires with God's will.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2, 3) Ye lust, and have not . . .--Better thus: Ye desire, and have not; ye kill, and envy, and cannot obtain; ye fight and make war; ye have not, because ye ask not; ye ask and receive not, because ye ask that ye may spend it on your lusts. It is interesting to notice the sharp crisp sentences, recollecting at the same time that St. James himself fell a victim to the passions he thus assails, probably at the hands of a zealot mob. The marginal note to the second of the above paragraphs gives envy as an alternative reading for "kill": but this is an error. "Ye kill and play the zealot" would be still nearer the original: for, as with Jedburgh justice in the old Border wars, hanging preceded the trial, so with these factions in Jerusalem death went first, almost before the desire to deal it. Lust, envy, strife, and murder:--like the tale of human passion in all ages, the dreadful end draws on. It is written in every national epic; its elements abound in the life of each individual: the slaughter in Etzel's halls overshadows the first lines of the Nibelungen-lied; the curse of Medea hangs like a gathering cloud around Jason and his Argonauts. Is it objected (James 4:3) that prayer is made but not answered? The reply is obvious; Ye ask not in the true sense; when ye do ask ye receive not, because God is too loving, even in His anger. Nevertheless, remember, He gave the Israelites "their desire, and sent leanness withal into their soul" (Psalm 106:15). "I," said He by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 14:4), "will answer him that cometh to Me, according to his idols." What greater curse could fall than an eternity of avarice to the miser, of pollution to the sensual, of murder to the violent? Many a man of quiet Christian life will thank God by-and-by, when he knows even as he is known (1Corinthians 13:12), that not a few of his prayers were unanswered, or at least that they were not granted in the way which he had desired. Safety is only to be found in our Lord's own manner of petition, "Not my will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42). Alas! in shameful contrast to this we read of many an evil-hearted prayer offered up to the Lord our Righteousness; invocations of saints for help in unholy deeds; of angels, for acts rather befitting devils of the pit; and can hardly have the conscience to reproach the heathen for supplicating their gods in no worse a manner for no better cause.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

You crave
ἐπιθυμεῖτε (epithymeite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1937: To long for, covet, lust after, set the heart upon. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, i.e. Long for.

[what]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

{you do} not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

have.
ἔχετε (echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

You kill
φονεύετε (phoneuete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5407: To murder, kill. From phoneus; to be a murderer.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

covet,
ζηλοῦτε (zēloute)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2206: From zelos; to have warmth of feeling for or against.

but
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

are unable
δύνασθε (dynasthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

to obtain [it].
ἐπιτυχεῖν (epitychein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2013: To attain, obtain, acquire. From epi and tugchano; to chance upon, i.e. to attain.

You quarrel
μάχεσθε (machesthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3164: To engage in battle, fight; hence: To strive, contend, dispute.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

fight.
πολεμεῖτε (polemeite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4170: To make war, contend, fight, battle. From polemos; to be in warfare, i.e. To battle: -fight, war.

You do not have,
ἔχετε (echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

because
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

{do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

ask.
αἰτεῖσθαι (aiteisthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle
Strong's 154: To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.

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NT Letters: James 4:2 You lust and don't have (Ja Jas. Jam)