James 1:9-27

91Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10but the rich person is to glory in his 2humiliation, because 3like 4flowering grass he will pass away. 11For the sun rises with 5its scorching heat and 6withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out.

127Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has 8been approved, he will receive 9the crown of life which the Lord 10has promised to those who 11love Him. 13No one is to say when he is tempted, “12I am being tempted 13by God”; for God cannot be tempted 14by 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 15when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and 16sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. 1617Do not be 18deceived, 19my beloved brothers and sisters. 17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is 20from above, coming down from 21the Father of lights, 22with whom there is no variation or 23shifting shadow. 18In the exercise of 24His will He 25gave us birth by 26the word of truth, so that we would be 27a kind of 28first fruits 29among His creatures.

193031You know this, 32my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, 33slow to speak, and 34slow to anger; 20for a man’s 35anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. 21Therefore, 36ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all 37that remains of wickedness, in 38humility receive 39the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 2240But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his 41natural face 42in a mirror; 24for once he has looked at himself and gone away, 43he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, 44the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but 45an active doer, this person will be 46blessed in 47what he does.

26If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not 4849bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27Pure and undefiled religion 50in the sight of our God and Father is this: to 51visit 52orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained 53by 54the world.