Saludo

Santiago [a](A), siervo de Dios(B) y del Señor Jesucristo(C):

A las doce tribus(D) que están en la dispersión[b](E): Saludos(F).

Fe y sabiduría

Tened por sumo gozo(G), hermanos míos, el que[c] os halléis en[d] diversas pruebas[e](H), sabiendo que la prueba(I) de vuestra fe(J) produce paciencia[f](K), y que la paciencia[g](L) tenga su perfecto resultado[h], para que seáis perfectos[i](M) y completos, sin que os falte nada.

Pero si alguno de vosotros se ve falto de sabiduría(N), que la pida a Dios, el cual da a todos abundantemente y sin reproche[j], y le será dada(O). Pero que pida con fe(P), sin dudar(Q); porque el que duda es semejante a la ola del mar, impulsada por el viento y echada de una parte a otra(R). No piense, pues, ese hombre, que recibirá cosa alguna del Señor, siendo hombre de doble ánimo[k](S), inestable en todos sus caminos(T).

Lo transitorio de las riquezas

Pero que el hermano de condición humilde se gloríe en su alta posición(U), 10 y el rico en su humillación, pues él pasará como la flor de la hierba(V). 11 Porque el sol sale con calor abrasador(W) y seca la hierba(X), y su flor se cae y la hermosura de su apariencia perece; así también se marchitará el rico en medio de sus empresas.

La tentación explicada

12 Bienaventurado el hombre que persevera(Y) bajo la prueba, porque una vez que ha sido aprobado[l], recibirá la corona de la vida(Z) que el Señor ha prometido(AA) a los que le aman(AB). 13 Que nadie diga cuando es tentado: Soy tentado por[m] Dios(AC); porque Dios no puede ser tentado por el mal[n] y Él mismo no tienta a nadie. 14 Sino que cada uno es tentado cuando es llevado y seducido por su propia pasión[o]. 15 Después, cuando la pasión[p] ha concebido(AD), da a luz el pecado; y cuando el pecado es consumado(AE), engendra la muerte. 16 Amados hermanos míos(AF), no os engañéis(AG). 17 Toda buena dádiva y todo don perfecto viene[q] de lo alto(AH), desciende del Padre de las luces(AI), con el cual no hay cambio(AJ) ni sombra de variación. 18 En el ejercicio de su voluntad(AK), Él nos hizo nacer(AL) por la palabra de verdad(AM), para que fuéramos las[r] primicias de sus criaturas(AN).

Hacedores de la palabra

19 Esto sabéis[s](AO), mis amados hermanos(AP). Pero que cada uno sea pronto para oír, tardo para hablar(AQ), tardo para la ira(AR); 20 pues la ira del hombre no obra la justicia de Dios(AS). 21 Por lo cual, desechando toda inmundicia(AT) y todo resto de malicia[t], recibid con humildad[u] la palabra implantada(AU), que es poderosa para salvar vuestras almas. 22 Sed hacedores de la palabra(AV) y no solamente oidores que se engañan a sí mismos. 23 Porque si alguno es oidor de la palabra, y no hacedor, es semejante a un hombre que mira su rostro natural[v] en un espejo(AW); 24 pues después de mirarse a sí mismo e irse, inmediatamente[w] se olvida de qué clase de persona es. 25 Pero el que mira atentamente[x] a la ley perfecta, la ley de la libertad(AX), y permanece en ella, no habiéndose vuelto un oidor olvidadizo sino un hacedor eficaz[y], este será bienaventurado en lo que hace[z](AY). 26 Si alguno se cree religioso, pero no refrena su lengua(AZ), sino que engaña a su propio corazón, la religión del tal es vana. 27 La religión pura y sin mácula delante de nuestro Dios y Padre(BA) es esta: visitar(BB) a los huérfanos(BC) y a las viudas en sus aflicciones[aa], y guardarse sin mancha del mundo(BD).

Footnotes

  1. Santiago 1:1 O, Jacobo
  2. Santiago 1:1 O, dispersas
  3. Santiago 1:2 Lit., cuando
  4. Santiago 1:2 O, confrontéis
  5. Santiago 1:2 O, tentaciones
  6. Santiago 1:3 O, perseverancia
  7. Santiago 1:4 O, perseverancia
  8. Santiago 1:4 U, obra perfecta
  9. Santiago 1:4 O, maduros
  10. Santiago 1:5 Lit., no reprochando
  11. Santiago 1:8 O, que duda, o, que vacila
  12. Santiago 1:12 O, habiendo pasado la prueba
  13. Santiago 1:13 Lit., de
  14. Santiago 1:13 Lit., de cosas malas
  15. Santiago 1:14 O, concupiscencia
  16. Santiago 1:15 O, concupiscencia
  17. Santiago 1:17 Lit., es
  18. Santiago 1:18 Lit., ciertas
  19. Santiago 1:19 O, Sabed esto
  20. Santiago 1:21 Lit., toda la abundancia de malicia
  21. Santiago 1:21 O, mansedumbre
  22. Santiago 1:23 O, naturaleza; lit., el rostro de su nacimiento
  23. Santiago 1:24 Lit., e inmediatamente
  24. Santiago 1:25 O, considera cuidadosamente
  25. Santiago 1:25 Lit., hacedor de una obra
  26. Santiago 1:25 Lit., en su hacer
  27. Santiago 1:27 O, necesidades, o, penas

Greeting

(A)James, a servant[a] of God and (B)of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To (C)the twelve tribes in (D)the Dispersion:

Greetings.

Testing of Your Faith

(E)Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials (F)of various kinds, for you know that (G)the testing of your faith (H)produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be (I)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

(J)If any of you lacks wisdom, (K)let him ask God, (L)who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But (M)let him ask in faith, (N)with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like (O)a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (P)he is a double-minded man, (Q)unstable in all his ways.

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and (R)the rich in his humiliation, because (S)like a flower of the grass[c] he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and (T)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 (U)Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive (V)the crown of life, (W)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 (X)when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and (Y)sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

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

Hearing and Doing the Word

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

22 But be (AN)doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, (AO)the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, (AP)he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious (AQ)and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's (AR)religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: (AS)to visit (AT)orphans and widows in their affliction, and (AU)to keep oneself (AV)unstained from the world.

Footnotes

  1. James 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
  2. James 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 16, 19
  3. James 1:10 Or a wild flower
  4. James 1:17 Some manuscripts variation due to a shadow of turning

James,(A) a servant of God(B) and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes(C) scattered(D) among the nations:

Greetings.(E)

Trials and Temptations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,(F) because you know that the testing of your faith(G) produces perseverance.(H) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature(I) and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,(J) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.(K) But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,(L) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded(M) and unstable(N) in all they do.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.(O) 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.(P) 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat(Q) and withers(R) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.(S) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial(T) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life(U) that the Lord has promised to those who love him.(V)

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own(W) evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;(X) and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.(Y)

16 Don’t be deceived,(Z) my dear brothers and sisters.(AA) 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,(AB) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,(AC) who does not change(AD) like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth(AE) through the word of truth,(AF) that we might be a kind of firstfruits(AG) of all he created.

Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers and sisters,(AH) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak(AI) and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger(AJ) does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of(AK) all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,(AL) which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.(AM) 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,(AN) and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.(AO)

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues(AP) deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after(AQ) orphans and widows(AR) in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.(AS)

Footnotes

  1. James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.