James 1

Testing of Your Faith

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

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

⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ and _r the rich in his humiliation, because _s like a flower of the grass ₃ he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and _t withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

¹² _u Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive _v the crown of life, _w which God has promised to those who love him. ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being 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 _x when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and _y sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷ _z Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from _a the Father of lights _b with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ₄ ¹⁸ _c Of his own will he _d brought us forth by the word of truth, _e that we should be a kind of _f firstfruits of his creatures.