English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
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Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
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because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
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Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
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If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
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But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
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That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
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Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
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Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
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But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
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For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
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Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
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When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
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but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
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Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
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Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
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Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
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He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.