17 For (A)this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 (B)as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

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17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.(A) 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,(B) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

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Future Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (A)are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for (B)the revealing of the sons of God.

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Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(A) 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God(B) to be revealed.

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28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together (A)for good,[a] for (B)those who are called according to his purpose.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:28 Some manuscripts God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good(A) of those who love him, who[a] have been called(B) according to his purpose.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who

for (A)we walk by faith, not (B)by sight.

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For we live by faith, not by sight.(A)

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The Light of the Gospel

Therefore, having (A)this ministry (B)by the mercy of God,[a] we do not lose heart.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:1 Greek having this ministry as we have received mercy

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

Therefore, since through God’s mercy(A) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.(B)

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16 So we do not lose heart. (A)Though our outer self[a] is wasting away, (B)our inner self (C)is being renewed day by day.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:16 Greek man

16 Therefore we do not lose heart.(A) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly(B) we are being renewed(C) day by day.

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So we are always of good courage. We know that (A)while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,

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Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.

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Yes, we are of good courage, and we (A)would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

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We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.(A)

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(A)Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, (B)“My grace is sufficient for you, for (C)my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that (D)the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 (E)For the sake of Christ, then, (F)I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For (G)when I am weak, then I am strong.

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Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(A) But he said to me, “My grace(B) is sufficient for you, for my power(C) is made perfect in weakness.(D)(E) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight(F) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(G) in persecutions,(H) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(I)

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Fear Not, for I Am with You

41 (A)Listen to me in silence, (B)O coastlands;
    let the peoples renew their strength;
let them approach, then let them speak;
    let us together draw near for judgment.

(C)Who stirred up one from the east
    whom victory meets at every (D)step?[a]
(E)He gives up nations before him,
    so that he tramples kings underfoot;
he makes them like dust with his sword,
    (F)like driven stubble with his bow.
He pursues them and passes on safely,
    by paths his feet have not trod.
(G)Who has performed and done this,
    calling the generations from the beginning?
(H)I, the Lord, the first,
    and with the last; I am he.

(I)The coastlands have seen and are afraid;
    the ends of the earth tremble;
    they have drawn near and come.
Everyone helps his neighbor
    and says to his brother, “Be strong!”
(J)The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith,
    and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil,
saying of the soldering, “It is good”;
    and they strengthen it with nails (K)so that it cannot be moved.

But you, Israel, (L)my servant,
    Jacob, (M)whom I have chosen,
    the offspring of Abraham, (N)my friend;
you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
    and called (O)from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are (P)my servant,
    (Q)I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with (R)my righteous right hand.

11 (S)Behold, all who are incensed against you
    shall be put to shame and confounded;
those who strive against you
    shall be as nothing and shall perish.
12 (T)You shall seek those who contend with you,
    but you shall not find them;
(U)those who war against you
    shall be as nothing at all.
13 For I, the Lord your God,
    hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
    I am the one who helps you.”

14 Fear not, you (V)worm Jacob,
    you men of Israel!
I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord;
    your (W)Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
15 (X)Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge,
    new, sharp, and having teeth;
you shall thresh (Y)the mountains and crush them,
    and you shall make the hills like chaff;
16 (Z)you shall winnow them, and (AA)the wind shall carry them away,
    and the tempest shall scatter them.
(AB)And you shall rejoice in the Lord;
    in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.

17 (AC)When the poor and needy seek water,
    and there is none,
    and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them;
    I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
18 (AD)I will open rivers on the bare heights,
    and fountains in the midst of the valleys.
(AE)I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
    and the dry land springs of water.
19 (AF)I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
    the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive.
I will set in the desert (AG)the cypress,
    the plane and the pine together,
20 that they may see and know,
    may consider and understand together,
that (AH)the hand of the Lord has done this,
    the Holy One of Israel has created it.

The Futility of Idols

21 Set forth your case, says the Lord;
    bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob.
22 Let them bring them, and (AI)tell us
    what is to happen.
Tell us the former things, what they are,
    that we may consider them,
that we may know their outcome;
    or declare to us the things to come.
23 (AJ)Tell us what is to come hereafter,
    that we may know that you are gods;
(AK)do good, or do harm,
    that we may be dismayed and terrified.[b]
24 Behold, (AL)you are nothing,
    and your work is less than nothing;
    an abomination is he who chooses you.

25 (AM)I stirred up one from the north, and he has come,
    (AN)from the rising of the sun, (AO)and he shall call upon my name;
he shall trample on rulers as on mortar,
    as the potter treads clay.
26 (AP)Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know,
    and beforehand, that we might say, “He is right”?
There was none who declared it, none who proclaimed,
    none who heard your words.
27 (AQ)I was the first to say[c] to Zion, “Behold, here they are!”
    and (AR)I give to Jerusalem a herald of good news.
28 (AS)But when I look, there is no one;
    among these there is no counselor
    who, when I ask, gives an answer.
29 (AT)Behold, they are all a delusion;
    their works are nothing;
    their metal images are empty wind.

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 41:2 Or whom righteousness calls to follow?
  2. Isaiah 41:23 Or that we may both be dismayed and see
  3. Isaiah 41:27 Or Formerly I said

The Helper of Israel

41 “Be silent(A) before me, you islands!(B)
    Let the nations renew their strength!(C)
Let them come forward(D) and speak;
    let us meet together(E) at the place of judgment.

“Who has stirred(F) up one from the east,(G)
    calling him in righteousness(H) to his service[a]?(I)
He hands nations over to him
    and subdues kings before him.
He turns them to dust(J) with his sword,
    to windblown chaff(K) with his bow.(L)
He pursues them and moves on unscathed,(M)
    by a path his feet have not traveled before.
Who has done this and carried it through,
    calling(N) forth the generations from the beginning?(O)
I, the Lord—with the first of them
    and with the last(P)—I am he.(Q)

The islands(R) have seen it and fear;
    the ends of the earth(S) tremble.
They approach and come forward;
    they help each other
    and say to their companions, “Be strong!(T)
The metalworker(U) encourages the goldsmith,(V)
    and the one who smooths with the hammer
    spurs on the one who strikes the anvil.
One says of the welding, “It is good.”
    The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.(W)

“But you, Israel, my servant,(X)
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,(Y)
    you descendants of Abraham(Z) my friend,(AA)
I took you from the ends of the earth,(AB)
    from its farthest corners I called(AC) you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;(AD)
    I have chosen(AE) you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear,(AF) for I am with you;(AG)
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen(AH) you and help(AI) you;
    I will uphold you(AJ) with my righteous right hand.(AK)

11 “All who rage(AL) against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;(AM)
those who oppose(AN) you
    will be as nothing and perish.(AO)
12 Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.(AP)
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing(AQ) at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand(AR)
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help(AS) you.
14 Do not be afraid,(AT) you worm(AU) Jacob,
    little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help(AV) you,” declares the Lord,
    your Redeemer,(AW) the Holy One(AX) of Israel.
15 “See, I will make you into a threshing sledge,(AY)
    new and sharp, with many teeth.
You will thresh the mountains(AZ) and crush them,
    and reduce the hills to chaff.(BA)
16 You will winnow(BB) them, the wind will pick them up,
    and a gale(BC) will blow them away.(BD)
But you will rejoice(BE) in the Lord
    and glory(BF) in the Holy One(BG) of Israel.

17 “The poor and needy search for water,(BH)
    but there is none;
    their tongues are parched with thirst.(BI)
But I the Lord will answer(BJ) them;
    I, the God of Israel, will not forsake(BK) them.
18 I will make rivers flow(BL) on barren heights,
    and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert(BM) into pools of water,(BN)
    and the parched ground into springs.(BO)
19 I will put in the desert(BP)
    the cedar and the acacia,(BQ) the myrtle and the olive.
I will set junipers(BR) in the wasteland,
    the fir and the cypress(BS) together,(BT)
20 so that people may see and know,(BU)
    may consider and understand,(BV)
that the hand(BW) of the Lord has done this,
    that the Holy One(BX) of Israel has created(BY) it.

21 “Present your case,(BZ)” says the Lord.
    “Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.(CA)
22 “Tell us, you idols,
    what is going to happen.(CB)
Tell us what the former things(CC) were,
    so that we may consider them
    and know their final outcome.
Or declare to us the things to come,(CD)
23     tell us what the future holds,
    so we may know(CE) that you are gods.
Do something, whether good or bad,(CF)
    so that we will be dismayed(CG) and filled with fear.
24 But you are less than nothing(CH)
    and your works are utterly worthless;(CI)
    whoever chooses you is detestable.(CJ)

25 “I have stirred(CK) up one from the north,(CL) and he comes—
    one from the rising sun who calls on my name.
He treads(CM) on rulers as if they were mortar,
    as if he were a potter treading the clay.
26 Who told of this from the beginning,(CN) so we could know,
    or beforehand, so we could say, ‘He was right’?
No one told of this,
    no one foretold(CO) it,
    no one heard any words(CP) from you.
27 I was the first to tell(CQ) Zion, ‘Look, here they are!’
    I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news.(CR)
28 I look but there is no one(CS)
    no one among the gods to give counsel,(CT)
    no one to give answer(CU) when I ask them.
29 See, they are all false!
    Their deeds amount to nothing;(CV)
    their images(CW) are but wind(CX) and confusion.

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 41:2 Or east, / whom victory meets at every step

16 So we do not lose heart. (A)Though our outer self[a] is wasting away, (B)our inner self (C)is being renewed day by day. 17 For (D)this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:16 Greek man

16 Therefore we do not lose heart.(A) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly(B) we are being renewed(C) day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.(D)

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For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,[a] of (A)the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us (B)rely not on ourselves (C)but on God (D)who raises the dead.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:8 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

We do not want you to be uninformed,(A) brothers and sisters,[a] about the troubles we experienced(B) in the province of Asia.(C) We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,(D) who raises the dead.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:8 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 8:1; 13:11.

Greeting

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

To (C)the twelve tribes in (D)the Dispersion:

Greetings.

Testing of Your Faith

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

(J)If any of you lacks wisdom, (K)let him ask God, (L)who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But (M)let him ask in faith, (N)with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like (O)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; (P)he is a double-minded man, (Q)unstable in all his ways.

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and (R)the rich in his humiliation, because (S)like a flower of the grass[c] he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and (T)withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 (U)Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive (V)the crown of life, (W)which God has promised to those who love him. 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 (X)when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and (Y)sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 (Z)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from (AA)the Father of lights, (AB)with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[d] 18 (AC)Of his own will he (AD)brought us forth by the word of truth, (AE)that we should be a kind of (AF)firstfruits of his creatures.

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 (AG)Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person (AH)be quick to hear, (AI)slow to speak, (AJ)slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore (AK)put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with (AL)meekness the implanted word, (AM)which is able to save your souls.

22 But be (AN)doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, (AO)the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, (AP)he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious (AQ)and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's (AR)religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: (AS)to visit (AT)orphans and widows in their affliction, and (AU)to keep oneself (AV)unstained from the world.

Footnotes

  1. James 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
  2. 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
  3. James 1:10 Or a wild flower
  4. James 1:17 Some manuscripts variation due to a shadow of turning

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

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,(F) because you know that the testing of your faith(G) produces perseverance.(H) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature(I) and complete, not lacking anything. 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) 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. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded(M) and unstable(N) in all they do.

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)

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.