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 person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own(A) evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;(B) and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.(C)

16 Don’t be deceived,(D) my dear brothers and sisters.(E) 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,(F) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,(G) who does not change(H) like shifting shadows.

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13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,[a] and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.[b] He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. 1:13 Or God should not be put to a test by evil people.
  2. 1:17a Greek from above, from the Father of lights.
  3. 1:17b Some manuscripts read He never changes, as a shifting shadow does.

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire (A)when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and (B)sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 (C)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from (D)the Father of lights, (E)with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:17 Some manuscripts variation due to a shadow of turning

13 No one is to say when he is tempted, “(A)I am being tempted [a]by God”; for God cannot be tempted [b]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 (B)when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and (C)sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. 16 (D)Do not be [c]deceived, (E)my beloved brothers and sisters. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is (F)from above, coming down from (G)the Father of lights, (H)with whom there is no variation or [d]shifting shadow.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:13 Lit from
  2. James 1:13 Lit of evil things
  3. James 1:16 Or misled
  4. James 1:17 Lit shadow of turning

Our cravings versus God’s gifts

13 No one who is tested should say, “God is tempting me!” This is because God is not tempted by any form of evil, nor does he tempt anyone. 14 Everyone is tempted by their own cravings; they are lured away and enticed by them. 15 Once those cravings conceive, they give birth to sin; and when sin grows up, it gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.

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