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)

Read full chapter

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

Or do you suppose that scripture is meaningless? Doesn’t God long for our faithfulness in[a] the life he has given to us?[b] But he gives us more grace. This is why it says, God stands against the proud, but favors the humble.[c] Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. Cry out in sorrow, mourn, and weep! Let your laughter become mourning and your joy become sadness. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. James 4:5 Or jealously longs for
  2. James 4:5 Or Doesn’t the spirit that God placed in us have jealous desires?
  3. James 4:6 Prov 3:34