James 1:1

AMP: James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)!

ASV: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion, greeting.

BSB: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion:Greetings.

DARBY: James, bondman of God and of [the] Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which [are] in the dispersion, greeting.

DRA: James the servant of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

KJV: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James 1:2

AMP: Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.

ASV: Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations;

BSB: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,

DARBY: Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into various temptations,

DRA: My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall into divers temptations;

KJV: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

James 1:3

AMP: Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].

ASV: Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience.

BSB: because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

DARBY: knowing that the proving of your faith works endurance.

DRA: Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

KJV: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

James 1:4

AMP: And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

ASV: And let patience have [its] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

BSB: Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

DARBY: But let endurance have [its] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

DRA: And patience hath a perfect work; that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing.

KJV: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:5

AMP: If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.

ASV: But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

BSB: Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

DARBY: But if any one of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and reproaches not, and it shall be given to him:

DRA: But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men abundantly, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

KJV: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:6

AMP: But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.

ASV: But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.

BSB: But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

DARBY: but let him ask in faith, nothing doubting. For he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed about;

DRA: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind.

KJV: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 1:7

AMP: For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord,

ASV: For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord;

BSB: That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

DARBY: for let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord;

DRA: Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

KJV: For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

James 1:8

AMP: being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].

ASV: a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways.

BSB: He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

DARBY: [he is] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

DRA: A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways.

KJV: A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 1:9

AMP: Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God];

ASV: But let the brother of low degree glory in his high estate:

BSB: The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.

DARBY: But let the brother of low degree glory in his elevation,

DRA: But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation:

KJV: Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

James 1:10

AMP: and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away.

ASV: and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

BSB: But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

DARBY: and the rich in his humiliation, because as [the] grass's flower he will pass away.

DRA: And the rich, in his being low; because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away.

KJV: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

James 1:11

AMP: For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away. [Is 40:6, 7]

ASV: For the sun ariseth with the scorching wind, and withereth the grass: and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his goings.

BSB: For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

DARBY: For the sun has risen with its burning heat, and has withered the grass, and its flower has fallen, and the comeliness of its look has perished: thus the rich also shall wither in his goings.

DRA: For the sun rose with a burning heat, and parched the grass, and the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of the shape thereof perished: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

KJV: For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

James 1:12

AMP: Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

ASV: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which [the Lord] promised to them that love him.

BSB: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

DARBY: Blessed [is the] man who endures temptation; for, having been proved, he shall receive the crown of life, which He has promised to them that love him.

DRA: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive a crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him.

KJV: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:13

AMP: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one.

ASV: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:

BSB: When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.

DARBY: Let no man, being tempted, say, I am tempted of God. For God cannot be tempted by evil things, and himself tempts no one.

DRA: Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils, and he tempteth no man.

KJV: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

James 1:14

AMP: But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion).

ASV: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

BSB: But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.

DARBY: But every one is tempted, drawn away, and enticed by his own lust;

DRA: But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured.

KJV: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

James 1:15

AMP: Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.

ASV: Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.

BSB: Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

DARBY: then lust, having conceived, gives birth to sin; but sin fully completed brings forth death.

DRA: Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death.

KJV: Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James 1:16

AMP: Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters.

ASV: Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.

BSB: Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

DARBY: Do not err, my beloved brethren.

DRA: Do not err, therefore, my dearest brethren.

KJV: Do not err, my beloved brethren.

James 1:17

AMP: Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].

ASV: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

BSB: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

DARBY: Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation nor shadow of turning.

DRA: Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration.

KJV: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:18

AMP: It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes].

ASV: Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

BSB: He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

DARBY: According to his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we should be a certain first-fruits of *his* creatures.

DRA: For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creatures.

KJV: Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

James 1:19

AMP: Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];

ASV: Ye know [this], my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

BSB: My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

DARBY: So that, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

DRA: You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak, and slow to anger.

KJV: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

James 1:20

AMP: for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].

ASV: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

BSB: for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

DARBY: for man's wrath does not work God's righteousness.

DRA: For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God.

KJV: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

James 1:21

AMP: So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.

ASV: Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

BSB: Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

DARBY: Wherefore, laying aside all filthiness and abounding of wickedness, accept with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

DRA: Wherefore casting away all uncleanness, and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

KJV: Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:22

AMP: But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

ASV: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.

BSB: Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

DARBY: But be ye doers of [the] word and not hearers only, beguiling yourselves.

DRA: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

KJV: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:23

AMP: For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror;

ASV: For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:

BSB: For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,

DARBY: For if any man be a hearer of [the] word and not a doer, *he* is like to a man considering his natural face in a mirror:

DRA: For if a man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass.

KJV: For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

James 1:24

AMP: for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like.

ASV: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

BSB: and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

DARBY: for he has considered himself and is gone away, and straightway he has forgotten what he was like.

DRA: For he beheld himself, and went his way, and presently forgot what manner of man he was.

KJV: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

James 1:25

AMP: But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].

ASV: But he that looketh into the perfect law, the [law] of liberty, and [so] continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.

BSB: But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so — not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer — he will be blessed in what he does.

DARBY: But *he* that fixes his view on [the] perfect law, that of liberty, and abides in [it], being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of [the] work, *he* shall be blessed in his doing.

DRA: But he that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty, and hath continued therein, not becoming a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; this man shall be blessed in his deed.

KJV: But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

James 1:26

AMP: If anyone thinks himself to be religious [scrupulously observant of the rituals of his faith], and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless (futile, barren).

ASV: If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man`s religion is vain.

BSB: If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

DARBY: If any one think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, this man's religion is vain.

DRA: And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

KJV: If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

James 1:27

AMP: Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world.

ASV: Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

BSB: Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

DARBY: Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

DRA: Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep one's self unspotted from this world.

KJV: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 1

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