James 1:9-27

91But the 2brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because 3like 4flowering grass he will pass away. 11For the sun rises with 56a scorching wind and 7withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

128Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has 9been approved, he will receive 10the crown of life which the Lord 11has promised to those who 12love Him. 13Let no one say when he is tempted, “13I am being tempted 14by God”; for God cannot be tempted 15by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15Then 16when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when 17sin 18is accomplished, it brings forth death. 1619Do not be 20deceived, 21my beloved brethren. 17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is 22from above, coming down from 23the Father of lights, 24with whom there is no variation or 25shifting shadow. 18In the exercise of 26His will He 27brought us forth by 28the word of truth, so that we would be 29a kind of 30first fruits 31among His creatures.

1932This 33you know, 34my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, 35slow to speak and 36slow to anger; 20for 37the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21Therefore, 38putting aside all filthiness and all 39that remains of wickedness, in 40humility receive 41the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 2242But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his 43natural face 44in a mirror; 24for once he has looked at himself and gone away, 45he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25But one who looks intently at the perfect law, 46the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but 47an effectual doer, this man will be 48blessed in 49what he does.

26If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not 5051bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27Pure and undefiled religion 52in the sight of our God and Father is this: to 53visit 54orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained 55by 56the world.