James 1
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a James, a servant of God and b of the Lord Jesus Christ, To c the twelve tribes in d the Dispersion: Greetings.
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e Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials f of various kinds,
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for you know that g the testing of your faith h produces steadfastness.
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And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be i perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
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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.
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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.
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For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
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p he is a double-minded man, q unstable in all his ways.
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Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
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and r the rich in his humiliation, because s like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
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Then desire x when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and y sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
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Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
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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.
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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.
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g Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person h be quick to hear, i slow to speak, j slow to anger;
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for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
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Therefore k put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with l meekness the implanted word, m which is able to save your souls.
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But be n doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
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For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
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For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
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But the one who looks into the perfect law, o the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, p he will be blessed in his doing.
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If anyone thinks he is religious q and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's r religion is worthless.
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Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: s to visit t orphans and widows in their affliction, and u to keep oneself v unstained from the world.
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Cross References
Acts 12:17
But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers." Then he departed and went to another place.
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Cross References
Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.
2 Peter 1:1
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Jude 1:1
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
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Cross References
Luke 22:30
That you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Acts 26:7
To which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
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Cross References
1 Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
Acts 2:9 - 11
Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia.
John 7:35
The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?
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Cross References
Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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Cross References
1 Peter 1:6
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials.
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Cross References
1 Peter 1:7
So that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
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Cross References
Romans 5:3
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.
James 5:11
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Hebrews 10:36
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
2 Peter 1:6
And knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness.
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Cross References
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:48
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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Cross References
1 Kings 3:9 - 12
Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?
Proverbs 2:3 - 6
Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding.
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Cross References
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
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Cross References
Proverbs 28:5
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
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Cross References
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
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Cross References
Matthew 21:21
And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen.
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Cross References
Isaiah 57:20
But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.
Ephesians 4:14
So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
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Cross References
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
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Cross References
2 Peter 2:14
They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!
2 Peter 3:16
As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
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Cross References
Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the Lord : "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches.
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Cross References
Psalms 102:4
My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread.
Psalms 102:11
My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
1 Corinthians 7:31
And those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
1 Peter 1:24
For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls.
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Cross References
Isaiah 40:7
The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass.
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Cross References
James 5:11
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Matthew 10:22
And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.
Daniel 12:12
Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.
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Cross References
Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 3:11
I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
1 Corinthians 9:25
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
2 Timothy 4:8
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
1 Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
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Cross References
James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
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Cross References
Job 15:35
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil, and their womb prepares deceit.
Psalms 7:14
Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies.
Isaiah 59:4
No one enters suit justly; no one goes to law honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.
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Cross References
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned -
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Cross References
Psalms 85:12
Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
John 3:27
John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
1 Corinthians 4:7
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
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Cross References
1 John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
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Cross References
Malachi 3:6
For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
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Cross References
John 1:13
Who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
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Cross References
Galatians 4:19
My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:23
Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.
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Cross References
Ephesians 1:12
So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
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Cross References
Jeremiah 2:3
Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest. All who ate of it incurred guilt; disaster came upon them, declares the Lord.
Revelation 14:4
It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
Romans 8:19 - 23
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
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Cross References
1 John 2:21
I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
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Cross References
Ecclesiastes 5:1 - 2
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 17:27
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
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Cross References
Proverbs 14:29
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
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Cross References
Colossians 3:8
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
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Cross References
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:2
And by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you - unless you believed in vain.
Ephesians 1:13
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
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Cross References
Romans 2:13
For it is not the hearers of the law who are ri...
James 2:14 - 20
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says h...
Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will...
Matthew 7:24 - 27
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and...
Luke 8:21
But he answered them, "My mother and my brother...
John 13:17
If you know these things, blessed are you if yo...
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Cross References
James 2:12
So speak and so act as those who are to be judg...
Galatians 2:4
Yet because of false brothers secretly brought ...
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm ...
Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only ...
1 Peter 2:16
Live as people who are free, not using your fre...
2 Peter 2:19
They promise them freedom, but they themselves ...
John 8:32
And you will know the truth, and the truth will...
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Cross References
Psalms 1:1 - 2
Book One Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.
Luke 11:28
But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!
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Cross References
James 3:2 - 3
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
Psalms 39:1
I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.
James 3:6
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
Psalms 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
Psalms 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
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Cross References
Acts 26:5
They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
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Cross References
Matthew 25:36
I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
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Cross References
Job 31:17 - 18
Or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it
Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.
Isaiah 1:23
Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them.
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Cross References
1 Timothy 5:22
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
1 John 5:18
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
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Cross References
2 Peter 3:14
Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.