1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes (of Israel), who are scattered abroad: Greetings.

2My brothers and sisters, count it all joy when you face various trials, 3Knowing this: that the testing of your faith produces perseverance and patience. 4But let patience finish its work, that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God for it, for He gives generously to all, without chastising those who ask; and it shall be given them. 6But when you ask, ask in faith, nothing doubting. For he who doubts is like an erratic wave on the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7That kind of person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8The loyalty of that sort of person is divided between God and the world, and therefore, they are unstable in what they do.

9Believers who are in humble circumstances should take pride in their high position (as a child God); 10And the rich should also exult when he is humbled, because he, too, like the flower of the grass, shall pass away. 11For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, until it withers the grass, and its flower wilts, and its beauty dies. In the same way, the rich man shall fade away with all his accomplishments. 12Blessed is the man who perseveres when tested; for when he has stood the test, he shall receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

13And when tempted, let no one say, “I am tempted by God.”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; 14But each person is tempted, when he is drawn away and enticed by his own lust (evil desires). 15Then, after being conceived, those desires give birth to sin, and if allowed to grow, it brings about death. 16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of heavenly lights, with Whom there is neither variation, nor shadow of change. 18Of His own will He chose to bring us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of all He created. 19Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. 20For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and evil that is so prevalent; and humbly receive and accept the word that is implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. 22But act upon His word: do not be merely hearers, deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer, but does not obey the word, he is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24And then, after seeing himself, he goes his way, and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law of liberty (that sets you free), and continues in it, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it, that person shall be blessed in what they do.

26If any among you seems to be religious, but does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his own heart; that person's religion is worthless. 27The pure and genuine religion that pleases God, our Father, is this: to care and provide for the orphans and widows in their need and distress, and to keep oneself undefiled by the polluting influences of the world.