James, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ a servant, to the Twelve Tribes who are in the dispersion: Hail!

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.

But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

Such a man must not expect to get anything from the Lord??8 an irresolute person like him, who is uncertain about everything he does.

And let the brother who is low rejoice in his exaltation,

but one who is rich ought to rejoice at being reduced in circumstances, for the rich will disappear like the wild flowers.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which he promised to those who love him.

When he is being tempted, let no one say, "It is God who tempts me," for God cannot be tempted with evil, nor does he tempt any man.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.

who hath of his own will begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.

Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves.

Because if any one is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;

who beheld himself, and went away, and immediately forgot what manner of man he was.

But he who looks into the perfect Law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.

The religion which is holy and free from evil in the eyes of our God and Father is this: to take care of children who have no fathers and of widows who are in trouble, and to keep oneself untouched by the world.

My brethren, you must not make distinctions between one man and another while you are striving to maintain faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our glory.

For if a man comes into your meeting place wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in,

and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, "Sit here in a good place;" but you tell the poor man, "Stand there," or "Sit by my footstool;"

Listen, my beloved brothers. Did not God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?

But you humiliate the poor. Are not the rich your oppressors? Is it not they who drag you into court?

Is it not they who slander the noble name you bear?

For anyone who keeps all the law, but makes a slip in one point, is judged to have gone against it all.

For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not commit murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom.

For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

And in the same way, was not the righteousness of Rahab, the loose woman, judged by her works, when she took into her house those who were sent and let them go out by another way?

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

For we all make many mistakes. Anyone who never makes a mistake in what he says has a character that is fully developed and is able to control his whole body as well.

And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds, are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is using it.

but who could ever tame the tongue? arm'd with deadly poison, the mischief scorns restraint.

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

O you who are false to God, do you not see that the friends of this world are not God's friends? Every man desiring to be a friend of this world makes himself a hater of God.

Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy?

But he gives more grace. So that the Writings say, God is against the men of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low before him.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God.

Do not speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Only one is the lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow let us go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit."

who do not know the thing of the morrow; for what is your life? for it is a vapour that is appearing for a little, and then is vanishing;

To him therefore who knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of hosts.

You have condemned and murdered the one who is righteous, even though he did not rebel against you.

Be patient, then, brothers, till the coming of the Lord. Behold the farmer who waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it gets the early and the latter rains.

Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Who is afflicted among you? let him pray. Who is merry? let him sing psalms.

and the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.