James 1:1-27 LSB

[1] James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion: Greetings. [2] Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. [4] And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [5] But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. [6] But he must ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. [7] For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, [8] being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. [9] But the brother of humble circumstances is to boast in his high position; [10] and the rich man is to boast in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. [11] For the sun rises with a scorching heat and withers 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. [12] Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. [13] Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. [14] But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. [15] Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully matured, it brings forth death. [16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. [17] Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. [18] In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. [19] Know this, my beloved brothers. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. [21] Therefore, laying aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in gentleness receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [22] But become doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; [24] for once he looked at himself and has gone away, he immediately forgot what kind of person he was. [25] But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does. [26] If anyone thinks himself to be religious while not bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. [27] Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.