A Greeting from James
(Jude 1:1–2)

1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Diaspora:†

Greetings.

Rejoicing in Trials
(Philippians 1:12–20)

2Esteem it all joy, my brothers, when you⁺ might fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your⁺ faith produces perseverance. 4And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you⁺ may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5Now if any of you⁺ lacks wisdom, let him ask from God, the One giving generously to all and not reproaching, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one doubting is like a wave of the sea, being blown and being tossed by the wind. 7For let that man not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. 8He is a double-souled man, unstable in all his ways.

9But let the brother of humbleness boast in his exaltation, 10and the one who is rich in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a flower of grass. 11For the sun rose with its burning heat and withered the grass, and its flower fell, and the beauty of its appearance perished. Thus also the rich man will fade away in his pursuits.

12Blessed is the man who endures trial, because, having been approved, he will receive the crown of life that He promised† to those loving Him.

Good and Perfect Gifts

13Let no one being tempted say, “I am being tempted from God.” For God is unable to be tempted by evils, and He Himself tempts no one. 14But each one is tempted, being dragged away and being enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire, having conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, having become fully grown, brings forth death.

16Do not be misled, my beloved brothers. 17Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.† 18Having willed it, He brought us forth by the word of truth, for us to be a certain firstfruits of His creatures.†

Hearing and Doing

19Know this,† my beloved brothers: But let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for man’s anger does not produce the righteousness of God. 21Therefore, having put off all filthiness and abundance of wickedness, accept in meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your⁺ souls.

22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding yourselves, 23because if anyone is a hearer of the word† and not a doer, this one is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror, 24for he observed himself and has gone away, and immediately he forgot what kind he was. 25But the one having looked intently into the perfect law, that of freedom, and having continued in it, not having been a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work—this one will be blessed in his doing.

26If anyone† thinks to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, the religion of this one is futile. 27Pure and undefiled religion before the God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulation, to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Footnotes:

1 Or To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion. Originally referring to the Jewish people living outside the land of Israel, the Diaspora is applied here to the Jewish believers scattered abroad.
12 BYZ and TR the Lord promised
17 Or there is no change or shifting shadow.
18 Or of His creatures.
19 BYZ and TR So then
23 F35 law
26 BYZ and TR include among you.