1James , a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ , to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad , greeting . 2My brethren , count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations ; 3Knowing this , that the trying of your faith worketh patience . 4But let patience have her perfect work , that ye may be perfect and entire , wanting nothing .
The Importance of Wisdom
5If any of you lack wisdom , let him ask of God , that giveth to all men liberally , and upbraideth not ; and it shall be given him . 6But let him ask in faith , nothing wavering . For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed . 7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord . 8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways .
The Role of Faith in Trials
9Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted : 10But the rich , in that he is made low : because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away . 11For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat , but it withereth the grass , and the flower thereof falleth , and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth : so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways . 12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when he is tried , he shall receive the crown of life , which the Lord hath promised to them that love him .
The Temporary Nature of Wealth
13Let no man say when he is tempted , I am tempted of God : for God cannot be tempted with evil , neither tempteth he any man : 14But every man is tempted , when he is drawn away of his own lust , and enticed . 15Then when lust hath conceived , it bringeth forth sin : and sin , when it is finished , bringeth forth death . 16Do not err , my beloved brethren . 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above , and cometh down from the Father of lights , with whom is no variableness , neither shadow of turning . 18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth , that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures .
Listening and Doing
19Wherefore , my beloved brethren , let every man be swift to hear , slow to speak , slow to wrath : 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God . 21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness , and receive with meekness the engrafted word , which is able to save your souls . 22But be ye doers of the word , and not hearers only , deceiving your own selves . 23For if any be a hearer of the word , and not a doer , he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass : 24For he beholdeth himself , and goeth his way , and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was . 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty , and continueth therein , he being not a forgetful hearer , but a doer of the work , this man shall be blessed in his deed . 26If any man among you seem to be religious , and bridleth not his tongue , but deceiveth his own heart , this man’s religion is vain . 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this , To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction , and to keep himself unspotted from the world .