Jaakobin kirjeLuku 1

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James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers, whenever you fall into trials of every kind,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
But let him ask in faith, without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord;
he is double-minded, unstable in everything he does.
Let the brother in humble circumstances boast in his high position,
and the rich one in his humiliation, since he will pass away like a wildflower.
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty is destroyed. So it is with the rich: in the midst of their pursuits they will wither away.
Blessed is the one who endures trial, for having stood the test he will receive the crown of life that he has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he tempts no one.
Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Then desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and sin, once full-grown, brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
By his own will he gave us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creation.
Understand this, my beloved brothers: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
for human anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.
So put away all filth and every excess of evil, and humbly receive the word planted in you, which is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
For if anyone hears the word but does not do it, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror:
he sees himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looked like.
But whoever looks closely into the perfect law, the law of freedom, and remains in it—not hearing and forgetting, but doing the work—will be blessed in what he does.
If anyone thinks he is religious but does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his own heart, and his religion is worthless.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.