James 1:2–18

Testing of Your Faith

^2eCount it all joy, my brothers,² when you meet trials ^fof various kinds, ³for you know that ^gthe testing of your faith ^hproduces steadfastness. ⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be ⁱperfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

^5jIf any of you lacks wisdom, ^klet him ask God, ^lwho gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶But ^mlet him ask in faith, ⁿwith no doubting, for the one who doubts is like ^oa 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; ^8phe is a double-minded man, ^qunstable in all his ways.

⁹Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰and ^rthe rich in his humiliation, because ^slike a flower of the grass³ he will pass away. ¹¹For the sun rises with its scorching heat and ^twithers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

^12uBlessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive ^vthe crown of life, ^wwhich 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 ^xwhen it has conceived gives birth to sin, and ^ysin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ^17zEvery good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from ^athe Father of lights, ^bwith whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.^{4 18c}Of his own will he ^dbrought us forth by the word of truth, ^ethat we should be a kind of ^ffirstfruits of his creatures.