1James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
1作神和主耶穌基督僕人的雅各請散住十二個支派之人的安。
2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
2我的弟兄們，你們落在百般試煉中，都要以為大喜樂；
3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
3因為知道你們的信心經過試驗，就生忍耐。
4And let endurance have [its] perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
4但忍耐也當成功，使你們成全、完備，毫無缺欠。
5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
5你們中間若有缺少智慧的，應當求那厚賜與眾人、也不斥責人的神，主就必賜給他。
6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
6只要憑著信心求，一點不疑惑；因為那疑惑的人，就像海中的波浪，被風吹動翻騰。
7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
7這樣的人不要想從主那裡得甚麼。
8[being] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
8心懷二意的人，在他一切所行的路上都沒有定見。
9But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;
9卑微的弟兄升高，就該喜樂；
10and the rich man [is to glory] in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.
10富足的降卑，也該如此；因為他必要過去，如同草上的花一樣。
11For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.
11太陽出來，熱風颳起，草就枯乾，花也凋謝，美容就消沒了；那富足的人，在他所行的事上也要這樣衰殘。
12Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which [the Lord] has promised to those who love Him.
12忍受試探的人是有福的，因為他經過試驗以後，必得生命的冠冕；這是主應許給那些愛他之人的。
13Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
13人被試探，不可說：「我是被神試探」；因為神不能被惡試探，他也不試探人。
14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
14但各人被試探，乃是被自己的私慾牽引誘惑的。
15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
15私慾既懷了胎，就生出罪來；罪既長成，就生出死來。
16Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
16我親愛的弟兄們，不要看錯了。
17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
17各樣美善的恩賜和各樣全備的賞賜都是從上頭來的，從眾光之父那裡降下來的；在他並沒有改變，也沒有轉動的影兒。
18In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
18他按自己的旨意，用真道生了我們，叫我們在他所造的萬物中好像初熟的果子。
19[This] you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak [and] slow to anger;
19我親愛的弟兄們，這是你們所知道的，但你們各人要快快的聽，慢慢的說，慢慢的動怒，
20for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
20因為人的怒氣並不成就神的義。
21Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and [all] that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
21所以，你們要脫去一切的污穢和盈餘的邪惡，存溫柔的心領受那所栽種的道，就是能救你們靈魂的道。
22But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
22只是你們要行道，不要單單聽道，自己欺哄自己。
23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;
23因為聽道而不行道的，就像人對著鏡子看自己本來的面目，
24for [once] he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
24看見，走後，隨即忘了他的相貌如何。
25But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the [law] of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
25惟有詳細察看那全備、使人自由之律法的，並且時常如此，這人既不是聽了就忘，乃是實在行出來，就在他所行的事上必然得福。
26If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his [own] heart, this man's religion is worthless.
26若有人自以為虔誠，卻不勒住他的舌頭，反欺哄自己的心，這人的虔誠是虛的。
27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of [our] God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, [and] to keep oneself unstained by the world.
27在神我們的父面前，那清潔沒有玷污的虔誠，就是看顧在患難中的孤兒寡婦，並且保守自己不沾染世俗。