James 1:2-21

English Standard Version

Testing of Your Faith

^2 (A)Count it all joy, my brothers,^[a] when you meet trials ^(B)of various kinds, ³ for you know that ^(C)the testing of your faith ^(D)produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be ^(E)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

^5 (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. ⁶ 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. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ^8 (L)he is a double-minded man, ^(M)unstable in all his ways.

⁹ 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. 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 ^(T)when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and ^(U)sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

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

Hearing and Doing the Word

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