Holman Christian Standard Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
1James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings. | 1James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings. |
2Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, | 2Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, |
3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. | 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. |
4But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. | 4But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. |
5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. | 5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. |
6But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. | 6But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. |
7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. | 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. |
8An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways. | 8An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways. |
9The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, | 9The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, |
10but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. | 10but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. |
11For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities. | 11For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities. |
12A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. | 12A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. |
13No one undergoing a trial should say, "I am being tempted by God." For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn't tempt anyone. | 13No one undergoing a trial should say, "I am being tempted by God." For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn't tempt anyone. |
14But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. | 14But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. |
15Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. | 15Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. |
16Don't be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. | 16Don't be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. |
17Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. | 17Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. |
18By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures. | 18By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures. |
19My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, | 19My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, |
20for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. | 20for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. |
21Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. | 21Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. |
22But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. | 22But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. |
23Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. | 23Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. |
24For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. | 24For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. |
25But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works--this person will be blessed in what he does. | 25But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works--this person will be blessed in what he does. |
26If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. | 26If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. |
27Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. | 27Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. |
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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