Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit (A)that he has made to dwell in us”? But (B)he gives more grace. Therefore it says, (C)“God opposes the proud but (D)gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. (E)Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (F)Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (G)Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and (H)purify your hearts, (I)you double-minded. (J)Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 (K)Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

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Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[a]?(A) But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[b](B)

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,(C) and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.(D) Wash your hands,(E) you sinners, and purify your hearts,(F) you double-minded.(G) Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.(H) 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.(I)

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Footnotes

  1. James 4:5 Or that the spirit he caused to dwell in us envies intensely; or that the Spirit he caused to dwell in us longs jealously
  2. James 4:6 Prov. 3:34