James 1 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Salutation

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes[a] in the Dispersion:

Greeting.

Faith and Wisdom

2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7, 8 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.

Poverty and Riches

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Trial and Temptation

12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am 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 when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[b] 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, 20 for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.[c] 23 For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.

26 If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Footnotes

  1. 1.1 twelve tribes: i.e., Jewish Christians outside Palestine.
  2. James 1:17 Other ancient authorities read variation due to a shadow of turning
  3. 1.22 This is the main theme of the letter.

You Might Also Like:

James 1 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 James, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ a servant, to the Twelve Tribes who are in the dispersion: Hail! 2 All joy count [it], my brethren, when ye may fall into temptations manifold; 3 knowing that the proof of your faith doth work endurance, 4 and let the endurance have a perfect work, that y...
Read More

James 1 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

1 James, the servant of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve kindreds, that be in scattering abroad, health. 2 My brethren, deem ye all joy [guess ye all joy], when ye fall into diverse temptations, 3 witting, that the proving of your faith worketh patience; 4 and patience hath a perf...
Read More

James 1 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

1 I am James. I am a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I send greetings to all of God's people wherever they live. 2 My brothers, be very happy when you are tested by having troubles of many kinds. 3 You know this, that when you prove you believe, you become stronger to take troubles. 4 B...
Read More

James 1 - World English Bible (WEB)

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you fall into various temptations, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Let endurance have its perfect work, that ...
Read More

James 1 - The Voice (VOICE)

1 James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, to the twelve tribes of Israel who are spread across the earth: I send you my warmest welcome! 2-4 Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace ...
Read More

James 1 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Greetings1 Jacob, a slave of God and of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah,To the twelve tribes in the Diaspora:Shalom! Rejoice in Trials2 Consider it all joy, my brethren,[a] when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perf...
Read More

James 1 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Salutation1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes[a] in the Dispersion:Greeting. Faith and Wisdom2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its...
Read More

James 1 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Salutation1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:Greeting. Faith and Wisdom2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its fu...
Read More

James 1 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse trials, 3 knowing that the trying of your faith brings forth patience. 4 And let patience have her perfect work, so that you ...
Read More

James 1 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Challenge of Faith1 James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, to the twelve dispersed tribes: greeting. 2 My dear family, when you find yourselves tumbling into various trials and tribulations, learn to look at it with complete joy, 3 because you know that, when your faith is put...
Read More

James 1 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Salutation1 James, a servant[a] of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:Greetings. Faith and Wisdom2 My brothers and sisters,[b] whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance...
Read More

James 1 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Salutation1 James, a servant[a] of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:Greetings. Faith and Wisdom2 My brothers and sisters,[b] whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance...
Read More

James 1 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Salutation1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes in the dispersion:Greetings.Faith and Wisdom2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy,(A)3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endura...
Read More

James 1 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

He exhorts to rejoice in trouble, to be fervent in prayer with steadfast belief, to look for all good things from above, to forsake all vice, and thankfully to receive the word of God, not only hearing it and speaking of it, but to do thereafter in deed. True religion or devotion: what it is.1 James...
Read More

James 1 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Greetings from James1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.Greetings! Faith and Endurance2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for gre...
Read More

James 1 - New Life Version (NLV)

1 This letter is from James. I am a servant owned by God and the Lord Jesus Christ. I greet the twelve family groups of the Jewish nation living in many parts of the world. Take Hope When Tests Come2 My Christian brothers, you should be happy when you have all kinds of tests. 3 You know these prove...
Read More

James 1 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Greeting to the Twelve Tribes1 James, (A)a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:Greetings. Profiting from Trials2 My brethren, (B)count it all joy (C)when you fall into various trials, 3 (D)knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a...
Read More