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.

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and (N)the rich in his humiliation, because (O)like a flower of the grass[b] he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and (P)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 (Q)Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive (R)the crown of life, (S)which God has promised to those who love him.

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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
  2. James 1:10 Or a wild flower

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.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.(J) 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.(K) 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat(L) and withers(M) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.(N) 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(O) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life(P) that the Lord has promised to those who love him.(Q)

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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.

The Sermon on the Mount

Seeing the crowds, (A)he went up on the mountain, and when he (B)sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

And (C)he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

(D)“Blessed are (E)the poor in spirit, for (F)theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are (G)those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the (H)meek, for they (I)shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and (J)thirst (K)for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are (L)the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are (M)the pure in heart, for (N)they shall see God.

“Blessed are (O)the peacemakers, for (P)they shall be called (Q)sons[a] of God.

10 (R)“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for (S)theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 (T)“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely (U)on my account. 12 (V)Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for (W)so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:9 Greek huioi; see Preface

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes(A)

He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(B)
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.(C)
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.(D)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.(E)
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.(F)
Blessed are the pure in heart,(G)
    for they will see God.(H)
Blessed are the peacemakers,(I)
    for they will be called children of God.(J)
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,(K)
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(L)

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you,(M) persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.(N) 12 Rejoice and be glad,(O) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.(P)

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Do Not Be Anxious

25 (A)“Therefore I tell you, (B)do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

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Do Not Worry(A)

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry(B) about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

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