Bible Gateway passage: James 1:2-18, James 3:13-18 - English Standard Version (2024)

Testing of Your Faith

^2(A)Count it all joy, my brothers,^[a] when you meet trials ^(B)of various kinds, ³for you know that ^(C)the testing of your faith ^(D)produces steadfastness. ⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be ^(E)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

^5(F)If any of you lacks wisdom, ^(G)let him ask God, ^(H)who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶But ^(I)let him ask in faith, ^(J)with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like ^(K)a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ^8(L)he is a double-minded man, ^(M)unstable in all his ways.

⁹Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰and ^(N)the rich in his humiliation, because ^(O)like a flower of the grass^[b] he will pass away. ¹¹For the sun rises with its scorching heat and ^(P)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(Q)Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive ^(R)the crown of life, ^(S)which God has promised to those who love him. ¹³Let 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. ¹⁴But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵Then desire ^(T)when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and ^(U)sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ^17(V)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from ^(W)the Father of lights, ^(X)with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.^{[c] 18(Y)}Of his own will he ^(Z)brought us forth by the word of truth, ^(AA)that we should be a kind of ^(AB)firstfruits of his creatures.

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Wisdom from Above

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? ^(A)By his good conduct let him show his works ^(B)in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴But if you have bitter ^(C)jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵This is not ^(D)the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, ^(E)demonic. ¹⁶For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷But ^(F)the wisdom from above is first pure, then ^(G)peaceable, gentle, open to reason, ^(H)full of mercy and good fruits, ^(I)impartial and ^(J)sincere. ¹⁸And ^(K)a harvest of righteousness ^(L)is sown in peace by those who make peace.

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