Testing of Your Faith

(A)Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials (B)of various kinds, for you know that (C)the testing of your faith (D)produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be (E)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

(F)If any of you lacks wisdom, (G)let him ask God, (H)who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But (I)let him ask in faith, (J)with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like (K)a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (L)he is a double-minded man, (M)unstable in all his ways.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 16, 19

Faith and Endurance

Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:2 Greek brothers; also in 1:16, 19.

Trials and Temptations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,(A) because you know that the testing of your faith(B) produces perseverance.(C) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature(D) and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,(E) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.(F) But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,(G) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded(H) and unstable(I) in all they do.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.