James 1:2–18

Facing All Kinds of Trouble

²My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy. ³Your faith will be put to the test. You know that when that happens it will produce in you the strength to continue. ⁴The strength to keep going must be allowed to finish its work. Then you will be all you should be. You will have everything you need.

⁵If any of you need wisdom, ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone. He doesn’t find fault.

⁶But when you ask, you must believe. You must not doubt. People who doubt are like waves of the sea. The wind blows and tosses them around. ⁷A man like that shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸He can’t make up his mind. He can never decide what to do.

⁹A believer who finds himself in a low position in life should be proud that God has given him a high position. ¹⁰But someone who is rich should take pride in his low position. That’s because he will fade away like a wild flower.

¹¹The sun rises. Its burning heat dries up the plants. Their blossoms fall. Their beauty is destroyed. In the same way, a rich person will fade away even as he goes about his business.

¹²Blessed is the man who keeps on going when times are hard. After he has come through them, he will receive a crown. The crown is life itself. God has promised it to those who love him.

¹³When you are tempted, you shouldn’t say, “God is tempting me.” God can’t be tempted by evil. And he doesn’t tempt anyone.

¹⁴But your own evil longings tempt you. They lead you on and drag you away. ¹⁵When they are allowed to grow, they give birth to sin. When sin has grown up, it gives birth to death.

¹⁶My dear brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone fool you. ¹⁷Every good and perfect gift is from God. It comes down from the Father. He created the heavenly lights. He does not change like shadows that move.

¹⁸God chose to give us new birth through the message of truth. He wanted us to be the first and best of everything he created.