James 4:4-12

Christian Standard Bible

⁴ You adulterous people!^[a] Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.^{(A) 5} Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?^[b](B)

⁶ But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says:

⁷ Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.^{(D) 8} Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.^{(E) 9} Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.^{(F) 10} Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

¹¹ Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer^[d] defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.^{(G) 12} There is one lawgiver and judge^[e] who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?^(H)