1From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings! | 1From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings! |
2My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, | 2My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, |
3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. | 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. |
4And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. | 4And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. |
5But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. | 5But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. |
6But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. | 6But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. |
7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, | 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, |
8since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways. | 8since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways. |
9Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. | 9Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. |
10But the rich person's pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow. | 10But the rich person's pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow. |
11For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away. | 11For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away. |
12Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. | 12Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. |
13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. | 13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. |
14But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. | 14But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. |
15Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. | 15Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. |
16Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. | 16Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. |
17All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. | 17All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. |
18By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. | 18By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. |
19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. | 19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. |
20For human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. | 20For human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. |
21So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. | 21So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. |
22But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. | 22But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. |
23For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. | 23For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. |
24For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. | 24For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. |
25But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out--he will be blessed in what he does. | 25But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out--he will be blessed in what he does. |
26If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. | 26If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. |
27Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world. | 27Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world. |
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