Jam 1 | BSB | STEP | James, a servant of God and of [the] Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

James 1

Greetings from James

1 James, a servant of God and of [the] Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

Rejoicing in Trials

2 Consider [it] pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Allow perseverance to finish [its] work, so that you may be mature and complete, [not] lacking [anything] . 5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of [the] sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man {should} not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 [He is] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. 10 But the [one who is] rich [should exult] in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and [its] beauty is lost. So too, the rich [man] will fade away in the midst of his pursuits. 12 Blessed [is the] man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that [God] has promised to those who love Him.

Good and Perfect Gifts

13 When tempted, no one should say, “ - God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, [nor] does He tempt [anyone] . 14 But each one is tempted [when] by [his] own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. 15 Then [after] desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 {Do} not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give us birth through [the] word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

Hearing and Doing

19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, [and] slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger {does} not bring about [the] righteousness that God [desires] . 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and [every] expression of evil, [and] humbly receive the word planted [in you] , which can save your souls. 22 Be doers of [the] word, and not hearers only. [Otherwise,] you are deceiving yourselves. 23 For anyone who hears [the] word but does not carry it out is like a man [who] looks at his face in a mirror, 24 [and] after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he [looks] like. 25 But the [one who] looks intently into [the] perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so— not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer— [he] will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone considers himself religious [and yet] does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart [and his] religion [is] worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before [our] God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, [and] to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.