Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,^{(A) 3} because you know that the testing of your faith^(B) produces perseverance.^{(C) 4} Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature^(D) and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,^(E) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.^{(F) 6} But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,^(G) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded^(H) and unstable^(I) in all they do.

⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.^{(J) 10} But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.^{(K) 11} For the sun rises with scorching heat^(L) and withers^(M) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.^(N) 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^(O) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life^(P) that the Lord has promised to those who love him.^(Q)

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^(R) evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;^(S) and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.^(T)

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived,^(U) my dear brothers and sisters.^{(V) 17} Every good and perfect gift is from above,^(W) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,^(X) who does not change^(Y) like shifting shadows.

No Confidence in the Flesh

3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again,^(A) and it is a safeguard for you. ² Watch out for those dogs,^(B) those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³ For it is we who are the circumcision,^(C) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,^(D) and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.^(E)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised^(F) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,^(G) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(H) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;^{(I) 6} as for zeal,^(J) persecuting the church;^(K) as for righteousness based on the law,^(L) faultless.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss^(M) for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing^(N) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ^{(O) 9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,^(P) but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness^(Q) that comes from God on the basis of faith.^{(R) 10} I want to know^(S) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,^(T) becoming like him in his death,^{(U) 11} and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection^(V) from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^(W) but I press on to take hold^(X) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^{(Y) 13} Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(Z) and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on^(AA) toward the goal to win the prize^(AB) for which God has called^(AC) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.