Jam 1 | HCSB | STEP | James , a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ :To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion . Greetings .

James 1

James

Greeting

1 James, ^a a ^{▼▼slave: The strong Greek word doulos cannot be accurately translated in English by "servant" or "bond servant"; the HCSB translates this word as "slave," not out of insensitivity to the legitimate concerns of modern English speakers, but out of a commitment to accurately convey the brutal reality of the Roman empire's inhumane institution as well as the ownership called for by Christ.}slave of God ^c and of the Lord Jesus Christ:To the 12 tribes ^d in the Dispersion. ^{▼▼Jewish people scattered throughout Gentile lands who spoke Gk and were influenced by Gk culture.
,} ^fGreetings. ^g

Trials and Maturity

2 Consider it a great joy, my ^{▼▼brother(s): The Greek word adelphoi can be used as a reference to males only or to groups that include males and females. It is the context of each usage that determines the proper meaning.}brothers, whenever you experience various trials, ⁱ 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

5 Now 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. ^j 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive ^{▼▼Or A doubting, or A double-minded} man is unstable in all his ways. ^l

9 The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, 10 but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. ^m 11 For 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. ⁿ

12 A man who endures trials ^{▼▼Lit trial, used as a collective} is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown ^p of life that God ^{▼▼Other mss read that the Lord} has promised to those who love Him. ^r

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, ^{▼▼Or evil persons, or evil things} and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. ^t 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. ^u

16 Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. ^v 17 Every 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. ^w 18 By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth ^{▼▼= the gospel} so that we would be the ^{▼▼firstfruits: The agricultural products harvested first and given to God as an offering; also the first of more products to come}firstfruits of His creatures. ^z

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, ^aa 20 for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, ^{▼▼Lit evil excess} humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. ^{▼▼Lit save your souls
,} ^ad

22 But ^ae be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face ^{▼▼Lit at the face of his birth} in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But 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. ^ag

26 If anyone ^{▼▼Other mss add among you} thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, ^ai then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our ^{▼▼Or before the} God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows ^ak in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the ^{▼▼world: The organized Satanic system that is opposed to God and hostile to Jesus and His followers. The non-Christian culture including governments, educational systems, and businesses}world. ^am