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James 1-3
Legacy Standard Bible

Testing Your Faith

1 [a](A)James, a (B)slave of God and (C)of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To (D)the twelve tribes who are in the (E)Dispersion: (F)Greetings.

2 (G)Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter (H)various [b]trials, 3 knowing that (I)the testing of your (J)faith brings about (K)perseverance. 4 And let (L)perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be [c](M)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 But if any of you (N)lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and [d]without reproach, and (O)it will be given to him. 6 But he must (P)ask in faith, (Q)doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, (R)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 [e](S)double-minded man, (T)unstable in all his ways.

9 (U)But the [f]brother of humble circumstances is to boast in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to boast in his humiliation, because (V)like [g]flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with [h](W)a scorching heat and (X)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 (Y)Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has [i]been approved, he will receive (Z)the crown of life which the Lord (AA)has promised to those who (AB)love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “(AC)I am being tempted [j]by God”; for God cannot be tempted [k]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 (AD)when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when (AE)sin is fully matured, it brings forth death. 16 (AF)Do not be [l]deceived, (AG)my beloved brothers. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is (AH)from above, coming down from (AI)the Father of lights, (AJ)with whom there is no variation or [m]shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of (AK)His will He (AL)brought us forth by (AM)the word of truth, so that we would be [n]a kind of (AN)first fruits [o]among His creatures.

Doers of the Word

19 [p](AO)Know this, (AP)my beloved brothers. But everyone must be quick to hear, (AQ)slow to speak and (AR)slow to anger; 20 for (AS)the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, (AT)laying aside all filthiness and all [q]that remains of wickedness, in gentleness receive (AU)the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 (AV)But become 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 [r]natural face (AW)in a mirror; 24 for once he looked at himself and has gone away, [s]he immediately forgot what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, (AX)the law of freedom, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this man will be (AY)blessed in [t]what he does.

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious while not [u](AZ)bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion (BA)before our God and Father is this: to (BB)visit (BC)orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained [v]by (BD)the world.

The Sin of Favoritism

2 (BE)My brothers, (BF)do not hold your faith in our [w](BG)glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of (BH)personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your [x]assembly with a gold ring and dressed in (BI)bright clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in (BJ)dirty clothes, 3 and you [y]pay special attention to the one who is wearing the (BK)bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges (BL)with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, (BM)my beloved brothers: did not (BN)God choose the poor [z]of this world to be (BO)rich in faith and (BP)heirs of the kingdom which He (BQ)promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and they themselves (BR)drag you into [aa]court? 7 (BS)Do they not blaspheme the good name [ab]by which you have been called?

8 If, however, you (BT)are fulfilling the [ac]royal law according to the Scripture, “(BU)You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you (BV)show partiality, you are committing sin, being convicted by the [ad]law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole [ae]law and yet (BW)stumbles in one point, he has become (BX)guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “(BY)Do not commit adultery,” also said, “(BZ)Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the [af]law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by (CA)the law of freedom. 13 For (CB)judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy [ag]triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Works

14 (CC)What use is it, (CD)my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can [ah]that faith save him? 15 (CE)If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “(CF)Go in peace, [ai]be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so (CG)faith, if it has no works, is [aj]dead by itself.

18 (CH)But someone will say, “You have faith; and I have works. Show me your (CI)faith without the works, and I will (CJ)show you my faith (CK)by my works.” 19 You believe that [ak](CL)God is one. (CM)You do well; (CN)the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, (CO)you foolish fellow, that (CP)faith without works is useless? 21 (CQ)Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that (CR)faith was working with his works, and [al]as a result of the (CS)works, faith was [am]perfected. 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “(CT)And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he was called (CU)the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way, was not (CV)Rahab the harlot also justified by works (CW)when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also (CX)faith without works is dead.

The Tongue Is a Fire

3 (CY)Do not, many of you, become teachers, (CZ)my brothers, knowing that we will receive a [an]stricter judgment. 2 For we all (DA)stumble in many ways. (DB)If anyone does not stumble in [ao]what he says, he is a (DC)perfect man, able to (DD)bridle the entire body as well. 3 Now (DE)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, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wills. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it (DF)boasts of great things.

(DG)Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And (DH)the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which (DI)defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our [ap]existence, and is set on fire by [aq](DJ)hell. 7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of (DK)deadly poison. 9 With it we bless (DL)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, (DM)who have been made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a fountain pour forth from the same opening [ar]fresh and bitter water? 12 (DN)Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can saltwater produce [as]fresh.

Wisdom from Above

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? (DO)Let him show by his (DP)good conduct his works in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter (DQ)jealousy and [at]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against (DR)the truth. 15 This wisdom is not coming down (DS)from above, but is (DT)earthly, [au](DU)natural, (DV)demonic. 16 For where (DW)jealousy and [av]selfish ambition exist, [aw]there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom (DX)from above is first (DY)pure, then (DZ)peaceable, (EA)considerate, submissive, (EB)full of mercy and good fruits, (EC)without doubting, without (ED)hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness (EE)is sown in peace [ax]by those who make peace.

Footnotes

  1. James 1:1 Or Jacob; James is the Eng form of Jacob
  2. James 1:2 Or temptations
  3. James 1:4 Or mature
  4. James 1:5 Lit does not reproach
  5. James 1:8 Or doubting, hesitating
  6. James 1:9 Church member
  7. James 1:10 Lit the flower of the grass
  8. James 1:11 Lit the
  9. James 1:12 Or passed the test
  10. James 1:13 Lit from
  11. James 1:13 Lit of evil things
  12. James 1:16 Or misled
  13. James 1:17 Lit shadow of turning
  14. James 1:18 Or a certain first fruits
  15. James 1:18 Lit of
  16. James 1:19 Or This you know
  17. James 1:21 Lit abundance of malice
  18. James 1:23 Or nature; lit the face of his birth
  19. James 1:24 Lit and he
  20. James 1:25 Lit his doing
  21. James 1:26 Or controlling
  22. James 1:27 Lit from
  23. James 2:1 Or Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious one
  24. James 2:2 Or synagogue
  25. James 2:3 Lit look at
  26. James 2:5 Lit to the
  27. James 2:6 Lit courts
  28. James 2:7 Lit which has been called upon you
  29. James 2:8 Or law of our King
  30. James 2:9 Or Law
  31. James 2:10 Or Law
  32. James 2:11 Or Law
  33. James 2:13 Lit boasts against
  34. James 2:14 Lit the
  35. James 2:16 Or warm yourselves and fill yourselves
  36. James 2:17 Or dead by its own standards
  37. James 2:19 One early ms there is one God
  38. James 2:22 Or by the deeds
  39. James 2:22 Or completed
  40. James 3:1 Or greater condemnation
  41. James 3:2 Lit word
  42. James 3:6 Or birth
  43. James 3:6 Gr Gehenna
  44. James 3:11 Lit sweet
  45. James 3:12 v 11, note 1
  46. James 3:14 Or strife
  47. James 3:15 Or unspiritual
  48. James 3:16 v 14, note 1
  49. James 3:16 In that place
  50. James 3:18 Or for
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James 1-3
New International Version

1 James,(A) a servant of God(B) and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes(C) scattered(D) among the nations:

Greetings.(E)

Trials and Temptations

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,(F) 3 because you know that the testing of your faith(G) produces perseverance.(H) 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature(I) and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,(J) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.(K) 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,(L) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded(M) and unstable(N) in all they do.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.(O) 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.(P) 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat(Q) and withers(R) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.(S) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial(T) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life(U) that the Lord has promised to those who love him.(V)

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(W) evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;(X) and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.(Y)

16 Don’t be deceived,(Z) my dear brothers and sisters.(AA) 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,(AB) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,(AC) who does not change(AD) like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth(AE) through the word of truth,(AF) that we might be a kind of firstfruits(AG) of all he created.

Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers and sisters,(AH) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak(AI) and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger(AJ) does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of(AK) all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,(AL) which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.(AM) 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,(AN) and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.(AO)

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues(AP) deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after(AQ) orphans and widows(AR) in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.(AS)

Favoritism Forbidden

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious(AT) Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.(AU) 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges(AV) with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:(AW) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world(AX) to be rich in faith(AY) and to inherit the kingdom(AZ) he promised those who love him?(BA) 6 But you have dishonored the poor.(BB) Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?(BC) 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[b](BD) you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism,(BE) you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.(BF) 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles(BG) at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.(BH) 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[c](BI) also said, “You shall not murder.”[d](BJ) If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged(BK) by the law that gives freedom,(BL) 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.(BM) Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?(BN) Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.(BO) 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?(BP) 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.(BQ)

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds,(BR) and I will show you my faith(BS) by my deeds.(BT) 19 You believe that there is one God.(BU) Good! Even the demons believe that(BV)—and shudder.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[e]?(BW) 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?(BX) 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together,(BY) and his faith was made complete by what he did.(BZ) 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[f](CA) and he was called God’s friend.(CB) 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?(CC) 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.(CD)

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers,(CE) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged(CF) more strictly.(CG) 2 We all stumble(CH) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say(CI) is perfect,(CJ) able to keep their whole body in check.(CK)

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.(CL) 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.(CM) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire,(CN) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,(CO) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.(CP)

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.(CQ)

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.(CR) 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?(CS) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it(CT) by their good life, by deeds(CU) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition(CV) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.(CW) 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven(CX) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.(CY) 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition,(CZ) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(DA) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(DB) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(DC) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(DD) 18 Peacemakers(DE) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(DF)

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.
  2. James 2:8 Lev. 19:18
  3. James 2:11 Exodus 20:14; Deut. 5:18
  4. James 2:11 Exodus 20:13; Deut. 5:17
  5. James 2:20 Some early manuscripts dead
  6. James 2:23 Gen. 15:6
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