Trials and Maturity

² Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,^{(A) 3} because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

⁵ Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.^{(B) 6} But let him ask in faith without doubting.^[a] For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, ⁸ being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.^[b](C)

¹² Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown^(A) of life that God^[a] has promised to those who love him.^(B)

¹³ No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire.^{(C) 15} Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.^(D)

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.^{(E) 17} Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.^{(F) 18} By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.^(G)