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James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
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If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
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But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
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For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
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Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
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When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
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because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
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But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
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Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
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have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
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Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
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Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
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because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
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But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
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You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
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And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
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Taming the Tongue
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
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With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
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Submit Yourselves to God
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
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You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
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You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
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But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
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Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
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Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
