James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: to the twelve tribes who are scattered over the world. All good wishes.

But the person [who must live] in humble circumstances should be happy over being lifted up [spiritually by God].

If a man seems to have religion and has no control over his tongue but lets himself be tricked by what is false, this man's religion is of no value.

If you look with favor on the man wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here in a good place,” and yet you say to the poor man, “Stand over there,” or, “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,”

But you [in contrast] have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress and exploit you, and personally drag you into the courts of law?

for judgment will be without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.

But if you people have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, do not be arrogant [over it] and deny the truth.

You people desire something and yet do not have it, [so] you murder [to get it]. You are envious [of what someone has] and [yet] are not able to obtain it, [so] you fight and quarrel [over it]. You do not have [what you want] because you do not ask [God for it].

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?

Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom.

Go to now, ye rich, weep, howling over your miseries that are coming upon you.

your gold and silver lie rusted over, and their rust will be evidence against you, it will devour your flesh like fire. [Moved to the end of 5:1] You have been storing up treasure in the very last days;

Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save that person's soul from death, and will cover over a great number of sins.