James 1:9-25

English Standard Version

⁹Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰and ^(A)the rich in his humiliation, because ^(B)like a flower of the grass^[a] he will pass away. ¹¹For the sun rises with its scorching heat and ^(C)withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

¹²^(D)Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive ^(E)the crown of life, ^(F)which God has promised to those who love him. ¹³Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵Then desire ^(G)when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and ^(H)sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷^(I)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from ^(J)the Father of lights, ^(K)with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.^[b] ¹⁸^(L)Of his own will he ^(M)brought us forth by the word of truth, ^(N)that we should be a kind of ^(O)firstfruits of his creatures.

Hearing and Doing the Word

¹⁹^(P)Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person ^(Q)be quick to hear, ^(R)slow to speak, ^(S)slow to anger; ²⁰for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹Therefore ^(T)put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with ^(U)meekness the implanted word, ^(V)which is able to save your souls.

²²But be ^(W)doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ²⁵But the one who looks into the perfect law, ^(X)the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, ^(Y)he will be blessed in his doing.