James 1:1–12

Salutation

¹James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the dispersion:

Greetings.

Faith and Wisdom

²My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy,^{* 3}because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.

⁵If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.^{* 6}But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.^{* 7},⁸For the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Poverty and Riches

⁹Let the brother or sister of humble means boast in having a high position ¹⁰and the rich in having been humbled, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field.^{* 11}For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away.

Trial and Temptation

¹²Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord^a has promised to those who love him.^*