James 1:1-27 NASB

[1] James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, o the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. [2] Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [4] And let endurance have its perfect result, 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 without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. [7] For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, [8] being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. [9] Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; [10] but the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. [11] For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers 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. [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] No one is to 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 sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. [16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. [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 gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. [19] You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; [20] for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. [21] Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. [22] But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive 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 has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. [25] But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does. [26] If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. [27] Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.