James 1:2-8

Expanded Bible

Faith and Wisdom

² My brothers and sisters [^Cfellow believers], when you have many kinds of ·troubles [trials; testing], ·you should be full of joy [^Lconsider it all/pure joy], ³ because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you ·patience [perserverance; endurance]. ⁴ [^LAnd] Let your ·patience [perserverance; endurance] ·show itself perfectly in what you do [have its full effect; finish its work]. Then you will be ·perfect and complete [mature and whole; or completely mature] and will ·have everything you need [^Llack nothing]. ⁵ But if any of you ·needs [lacks] wisdom, you should ask God for it [Prov. 2:6]. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom ·without criticizing you [without finding fault; ungrudgingly; Matt. 7:7]. ⁶ But when you ask God, you must ·believe [ask with faith] and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, ·blown up and down [driven and tossed] by the wind. [^LFor] Such doubters are ·thinking two different things at the same time [^Ldouble-minded], and they ·cannot decide about anything they do [^Lare unstable in all they do]. They should not ·think [expect] they will receive anything from the Lord.