Iacobi 1
1 Iacobus Dei et Domini nostri Iesu Christi servus duodecim tribubus quae sunt in dispersione salutem
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, greets the twelve tribes that are living abroad.
2 omne gaudium existimate fratres mei cum in temptationibus variis incideritis
My friends, whatever trials you may face from time to time, always regard them as a reason for rejoicing,
3 scientes quod probatio fidei vestrae patientiam operatur
knowing, as you do, that the testing of your faith develops endurance.
4 patientia autem opus perfectum habeat ut sitis perfecti et integri in nullo deficientes
And let endurance do its work perfectly, so that you may be altogether perfect, and in no respect lacking.
5 si quis autem vestrum indiget sapientiam postulet a Deo qui dat omnibus affluenter et non inproperat et dabitur ei
If any one of you lacks wisdom, they should ask wisdom from the God who gives freely to everyone without reproach, and it will be given to them.
6 postulet autem in fide nihil haesitans qui enim haesitat similis est fluctui maris qui a vento movetur et circumfertur
But they should ask with confidence, never doubting; for the person who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven here and there at the mercy of the wind –
7 non ergo aestimet homo ille quod accipiat aliquid a Domino
Such a person must not expect that they will receive anything from the Lord,
8 vir duplex animo inconstans in omnibus viis suis
vacillating as they are, irresolute at every turn.
9 glorietur autem frater humilis in exaltatione sua
Let a follower in humble circumstances be proud of their exalted position,
10 dives autem in humilitate sua quoniam sicut flos faeni transibit
but a rich follower of their humiliation; for the rich will pass away like a wild flower.
11 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
As the sun rises, and the hot wind blows, the plant withers, its flower fades, and all its beauty is gone. So is it with the rich. In the midst of their pursuits they will wither away.
12 beatus vir qui suffert temptationem quia cum probatus fuerit accipiet coronam vitae quam repromisit Deus diligentibus se
Blessed is the person who remains firm under temptation, for, when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 nemo cum temptatur dicat quoniam a Deo temptor Deus enim intemptator malorum est ipse autem neminem temptat
Let no one say, when they are tempted, ‘It is God who is tempting me!’ For God, who cannot be tempted to do wrong, does not himself tempt anyone.
14 unusquisque vero temptatur a concupiscentia sua abstractus et inlectus
A man is in every case tempted by their own passions – allured and enticed by them.
15 dein concupiscentia cum conceperit parit peccatum peccatum vero cum consummatum fuerit generat mortem
Then passion conceives and gives birth to sin, and sin, on reaching maturity, brings forth death.
16 nolite itaque errare fratres mei dilectissimi
Do not be deceived, my dear friends.
17 omne datum optimum et omne donum perfectum desursum est descendens a Patre luminum apud quem non est transmutatio nec vicissitudinis obumbratio
Every good thing given us, and every perfect gift, is from above, and comes down to us from the Father of the lights in the heavens, who is himself never subject to change or to eclipse.
18 voluntarie genuit nos verbo veritatis ut simus initium aliquod creaturae eius
Because he so willed, he gave us life, through the message of the truth, so that we should be, as it were, a kind of first fruits of his creation.
19 scitis fratres mei dilecti sit autem omnis homo velox ad audiendum tardus autem ad loquendum et tardus ad iram
Mark this, my dear friends – Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry;
20 ira enim viri iustitiam Dei non operatur
for human anger does not forward the righteous purpose of God.
21 propter quod abicientes omnem inmunditiam et abundantiam malitiae in mansuetudine suscipite insitum verbum quod potest salvare animas vestras
Therefore, get rid of all filthiness and whatever wickedness still remains, and in a humble spirit receive that message which has been planted in your hearts and is able to save your souls.
22 estote autem factores verbi et non auditores tantum fallentes vosmet ipsos
Put that message into practice, and do not merely listen to it – deceiving yourselves.
23 quia si quis auditor est verbi et non factor hic conparabitur viro consideranti vultum nativitatis suae in speculo
For, when anyone listens to it and does not practice it, they are like a person looking at their own face in a mirror.
24 consideravit enim se et abiit et statim oblitus est qualis fuerit
They look at themselves, then go on their way,
25 qui autem perspexerit in lege perfecta libertatis et permanserit non auditor obliviosus factus sed factor operis hic beatus in facto suo erit
but the person who looks carefully into the perfect Law, the Law of freedom, and continues to do so, not listening to it and then forgetting it, but putting it into practice – that person will be blessed in what they do.
26 si quis autem putat se religiosum esse non refrenans linguam suam sed seducens cor suum huius vana est religio
When a person appears to be religious, yet does not bridle their tongue, but imposes on their own conscience, that person’s religious observances are valueless.
27 religio munda et inmaculata apud Deum et Patrem haec est visitare pupillos et viduas in tribulatione eorum inmaculatum se custodire ab hoc saeculo
That religious observance which is pure and spotless in the eyes of God our Father is this – to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the world.
