11 [1] James , a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ , To the twelve tribes who are [2] dispersed abroad: Greetings .
2 Consider it all joy , my brethren , when you encounter various [3]trials , 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [4] endurance . 4 And let [5] endurance have its perfect [6]result , so that you may be [7] perfect and complete , lacking in nothing . 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom , let him ask of God , who gives to all generously and [8]without reproach , and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting , for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea , driven and tossed by the wind . 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord , 8 being a [9] double-minded man , unstable in all his ways . 9 But the [10]brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position ; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation , because like [11]flowering grass he will pass away . 11 For the sun rises with [12] a scorching wind and withers the grass ; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed ; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away .
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial ; for once he has [13]been approved , he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted , " I am being tempted [14]by God "; for God cannot be tempted [15]by evil , and He Himself does not tempt anyone . 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust . 15 Then when lust has conceived , it gives birth to sin ; and when sin [16]is accomplished , it brings forth death . 16 Do not be [17]deceived , my beloved brethren . 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above , coming down from the Father of lights , with whom there is no variation or [18]shifting shadow . 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth , so that we would be [19]a kind of first fruits [20]among His creatures .
19 [21]This you know , my beloved brethren . But everyone must be quick to hear , slow to speak and slow to anger ; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God . 21 Therefore , putting aside all filthiness and all [22]that remains of wickedness , in [23]humility receive the word implanted , which is able to save your souls . 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word , and not merely hearers who delude themselves . 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer , he is like a man who looks at his [24]natural face in a mirror ; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away , [25]he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law , the law of liberty , and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but [26]an effectual doer , this man will be blessed in [27]what he does . 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious , and yet does not [28] bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart , this man's religion is worthless . 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this : to visit orphans and widows in their distress , and to keep oneself unstained [29]by the world .
31 Let not many of you become teachers , my brethren , knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment . 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says , he is a perfect man , able to bridle the whole body as well . 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well . 4 Look at the ships also , though they are so great and are driven by strong winds , are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires . 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things . See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire ! 6 And the tongue is a fire , the very world of iniquity ; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body , and sets on fire the course of our life , and is set on fire by hell . 7 For every species of beasts and birds , of reptiles and creatures of the sea , is tamed and has been tamed by the human race . 8 But no one e can tame the tongue ; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison . 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father , and with it we curse men , who have been made in the likeness of God ; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing . My brethren , these things ought not to be this way . 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree , my brethren , produce olives , or a vine produce figs ? Nor can salt water produce fresh .
13 Who among you is wise and understanding ? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom . 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart , do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth . 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above , but is earthly , natural , demonic . 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing . 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure , then peaceable , gentle , reasonable , full of mercy and good fruits , unwavering , without hypocrisy . 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace .
