James 1
1 This letter comes from James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is sent to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. Best wishes to you!
Iacobus Dei et Domini nostri Iesu Christi servus duodecim tribubus quae sunt in dispersione salutem
2 My friends, choose to stay happy even when all kinds of troubles come your way,
omne gaudium existimate fratres mei cum in temptationibus variis incideritis
3 because you know that endurance comes from dealing with challenges to your trust in God.
scientes quod probatio fidei vestrae patientiam operatur
4 Let your endurance become as strong as possible, so that you will be completely mature, without any shortcomings.
patientia autem opus perfectum habeat ut sitis perfecti et integri in nullo deficientes
5 If any of you need wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to everyone without holding back.
si quis autem vestrum indiget sapientiam postulet a Deo qui dat omnibus affluenter et non inproperat et dabitur ei
6 But when you ask, remember to trust in God—don't have any doubts. Someone who doubts is like the crashing waves of the sea, tossed about and driven by the wind.
postulet autem in fide nihil haesitans qui enim haesitat similis est fluctui maris qui a vento movetur et circumfertur
7 Nobody like that should think they'll get anything from the Lord—
non ergo aestimet homo ille quod accipiat aliquid a Domino
8 their minds think every which way, and they're unstable in whatever they do.
vir duplex animo inconstans in omnibus viis suis
9 Believers who are born poor should take pride in the high position they've been given,
glorietur autem frater humilis in exaltatione sua
10 while the rich should “boast” in the humble position they now have, since they will fade away like flowers in the field.
dives autem in humilitate sua quoniam sicut flos faeni transibit
11 For the sun rises along with the blistering wind and scorches the grass. The flowers fall and their beauty is marred. Everything the rich achieve will fade in just the same way.
exortus est enim sol cum ardore et arefecit faenum et flos eius decidit et decor vultus eius deperiit ita et dives in itineribus suis marcescet
12 Happy is anyone who patiently endures temptation, for when they've proved that they are trustworthy, they will receive the crown of life which God promises to those who love him.
beatus vir qui suffert temptationem quia cum probatus fuerit accipiet coronam vitae quam repromisit Deus diligentibus se
13 Nobody should say when they're tempted, “I'm being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.
nemo cum temptatur dicat quoniam a Deo temptor Deus enim intemptator malorum est ipse autem neminem temptat
14 Temptations come from our own evil desires that lead us astray and entrap us.
unusquisque vero temptatur a concupiscentia sua abstractus et inlectus
15 Such desires lead to sin, and sin, when it's fully developed, causes death.
dein concupiscentia cum conceperit parit peccatum peccatum vero cum consummatum fuerit generat mortem
16 My dear friends, don't be deceived.
nolite itaque errare fratres mei dilectissimi
17 All that's good, every perfect gift, is from above, and comes down from the Father who made heaven's lights. Unlike them he doesn't change—he doesn't vary or cause shadows.
omne datum optimum et omne donum perfectum desursum est descendens a Patre luminum apud quem non est transmutatio nec vicissitudinis obumbratio
18 He chose to give us new life through the word of truth, so that out of all his creation we would be very special to him.
voluntarie genuit nos verbo veritatis ut simus initium aliquod creaturae eius
19 Remember this, my dear friends: everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak, and slow to get angry,
scitis fratres mei dilecti sit autem omnis homo velox ad audiendum tardus autem ad loquendum et tardus ad iram
20 because human anger doesn't reflect the good character of God.
ira enim viri iustitiam Dei non operatur
21 So get rid of all that's filthy and evil. Humbly accept the word that's been implanted within you—for this is what can save you.
propter quod abicientes omnem inmunditiam et abundantiam malitiae in mansuetudine suscipite insitum verbum quod potest salvare animas vestras
22 But do what the word says—don't just listen to it and delude yourselves.
estote autem factores verbi et non auditores tantum fallentes vosmet ipsos
23 If you just listen to the word, and don't act on it, it's like staring at your own face in a mirror.
quia si quis auditor est verbi et non factor hic conparabitur viro consideranti vultum nativitatis suae in speculo
24 You see yourself, but then you leave, and immediately forget what you looked like.
consideravit enim se et abiit et statim oblitus est qualis fuerit
25 But if you look to the perfect law of freedom and follow it, not as someone who just listens and then forgets, but as someone who acts on it—then you will be blessed in what you do.
qui autem perspexerit in lege perfecta libertatis et permanserit non auditor obliviosus factus sed factor operis hic beatus in facto suo erit
26 If you think you're religious, but don't control what you say, you deceive yourself—your religion is pointless.
si quis autem putat se religiosum esse non refrenans linguam suam sed seducens cor suum huius vana est religio
27 In the eyes of our God and Father, religion that's pure and genuine is to visit orphans and widows in their suffering, and to keep yourself from being contaminated by the world.
religio munda et inmaculata apud Deum et Patrem haec est visitare pupillos et viduas in tribulatione eorum inmaculatum se custodire ab hoc saeculo
