1James 1

1From James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes scattered all over the world.Select James 1:1

Faith and Wisdom

2My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble.Select James 1:2

3You know you learn to endure by having your faith tested.Select James 1:3

4But you must learn to endure everything, so you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.Select James 1:4

5If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won't correct you for asking.Select James 1:5

6But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.Select James 1:6

8If you are that kind of person, you can't make up your mind, and you surely can't be trusted. So don't expect the Lord to give you anything at all.Select James 1:8

Poor People and Rich People

9Any of God's people who are poor should be glad he thinks so highly of them.Select James 1:9

10But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble. Rich people will disappear like wild flowersSelect James 1:10

11scorched by the burning heat of the sun. The flowers lose their blossoms, and their beauty is destroyed. This is how the rich will disappear, as they go about their business.Select James 1:11

Trials and Temptations

12God will bless you, if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.Select James 1:12

13Don't blame God when you are tempted! God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn't use evil to tempt others.Select James 1:13

14We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us.Select James 1:14

15Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead.Select James 1:15

16Don't be fooled, my dear friends.Select James 1:16

17Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.Select James 1:17

18He wanted us to be his own special people, and so he sent the true message to give us new birth.Select James 1:18

Hearing and Obeying

19My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry.Select James 1:19

20If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things God wants done.Select James 1:20

21You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. Instead be humble and accept the message planted in you to save you.Select James 1:21

22Obey God's message! Don't fool yourselves by just listening to it.Select James 1:22

23If you hear the message and don't obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirrorSelect James 1:23

24and forget what they look like as soon as they leave.Select James 1:24

25But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don't just hear and forget.Select James 1:25

26If you think you are being religious, but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is useless.Select James 1:26

27Religion that pleases God the Father must be pure and spotless. You must help needy orphans and widows and not let this world make you evil.Select James 1:27