James, the servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, sendeth greeting to the twelve tribes which are scattered here and there.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, which giveth to all men indifferently and casteth no man in the teeth; and it shall be given him.

Happy is the man that endureth in temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

For the wrath of man worketh not that which is righteous before God.

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, all superfluity of maliciousness, and receive with meekness the word that is grafted in you, which is able to save your souls:

Hearken, my dear beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, which are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he promised to them that love him?

But ye have despised the poor. Are not the rich they which oppress you: and they which draw you before judges?

Do not they speak evil of that good name after which ye be named?

If ye fulfil the royal law - according to the scripture which saith, "Thou shalt love thine neighbour as thyself" - ye do well.

and one of you say unto them, "Depart in peace, God send you warmness and food," notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body: what helpeth it them?

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, "Abraham believed God, and it was reputed unto him for righteousness," and he was called the friend of God.

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the violence of the governor will:

Therewith bless we God the father, and therewith curse we men which are made after the similitude of God.

There is one law giver, which is able to save and to destroy. What art thou that judgest another man?

Behold, the hire of the laborers which have reaped down your fields - which hire is of you kept back by fraud - crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped, are entered into the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

Take, my brethren, the prophets: for an example of suffering adversity, and of long patience, which spake in the name of the Lord.

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful, and merciful.

let the same know, that he which converted the sinner from going astray out of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide the multitude of sins. {Here ends the General Epistle of James}