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BEGIN THE NEW YEAR WITH A DEEP DIVE INTO THE BOOK OF JAMES! Join us in slowly and intentionally reading through James over the 31 days of January + daily gratitude + setting a goal or two for the month. We want to posture ourselves to give God our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. James is often referred to as the "proverbs of the New Testament" and a "guidebook" for how to live as a Christian. We know that there is nothing we can do to earn our own salvation, but once we have been saved and redeemed, our lives should look different. Jesus invites us all to come as we are -- messy, sinful, wounded -- but He doesn't want us to stay that way. Sign up to receive passages through James in your inbox each day and take a look around this page for resources to help study James this month. We are expectant for what God will do this month. ABOUT JAMES Taken from the ESV study Bible... Timeline Author, Date, and Recipients This letter was written by James, the brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55) and leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15). It was probably written about A.D. 40–45 to Jewish Christians living outside Palestine. Theme Christians must live out their faith. They should be doers, not just hearers, of God’s Word. Purpose James’s readers were suffering persecution and living in poverty. They were in social and spiritual conflict. Many believers were living in a worldly manner. James corrects them and challenges them to seek God’s wisdom to work out these problems. Key Themes The Setting of James A.D. 40–45The letter of James was likely written to predominantly Jewish Christian house churches outside of Palestine, based on its mention of the “twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (1:1), its distinctly Jewish content, and its focus on persecution and poverty. This would mean it was sent throughout most of the ancient Mediterranean world. The author has traditionally been believed to be James, the brother of Jesus and an early leader of the church in Jerusalem. This letter was written by James, the brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55) and leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15). It was probably written about A.D. 40–45 to Jewish Christians living outside Palestine. Theme Christians must live out their faith. They should be doers, not just hearers, of God’s Word. Purpose James’s readers were suffering persecution and living in poverty. They were in social and spiritual conflict. Many believers were living in a worldly manner. James corrects them and challenges them to seek God’s wisdom to work out these problems. Key Themes - God is a gracious giver, the unchanging Creator, and merciful and compassionate. He is also a Judge, the one and only God, a jealous God, a gracious God, and a healing God (1:5, 17–18; 2:5, 13, 19; 4:5–6; 5:1–3, 9, 15). - Wisdom comes “from above.” It enables believers to withstand trials and to have peace rather than divisions among themselves (1:5; 3:13, 17). - God allows tests and trials (1:2–4), but temptation comes from self and Satan. The required response is patient endurance (1:3, 13–14; 4:7; 5:7–8). - These trials include poverty and mistreatment by the rich. The poor are the special focus of God’s care. They must be cared for by his people. They must not be taken advantage of or ignored. The wealthy are condemned for pride and for stealing from the poor (1:9, 27; 2:1–5, 15–16; 4:13–17; 5:1–6). - There is both future judgment and future reward (1:12; 2:5, 12–13; 3:1; 4:12; 5:1–7, 9, 20). - What a person says has power both to destroy and to bring peace (3:1–4:12). - Rather than merely hearing God’s word, believers must obey it in their daily actions (1:19–27; 2:14–26). - Prayer is the proper response to trials, but it must not be self-seeking. It is to be central in all of life’s circumstances, good or bad. God has great power to heal physical and spiritual problems (1:5–7; 4:2–3; 5:13–18). - James and Paul agree that justification comes only by God’s grace through faith, and that true faith always results in good works. If no works result, there was no justification in the first place (2:14–26). - Greeting (1:1) - The Testing of Faith (1:2–18) - Hearing and Doing the Word (1:19–27) - The Sin of Favoritism (2:1–13) - Faith without Works Is Dead (2:14–26) - The Sin of Dissension in the Community (3:1–4:12) - The Sins of the Wealthy (4:13–5:12) - The Prayer of Faith (5:13–18) - Concluding Admonition (5:19–20) The Setting of James A.D. 40–45The letter of James was likely written to predominantly Jewish Christian house churches outside of Palestine, based on its mention of the “twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (1:1), its distinctly Jewish content, and its focus on persecution and poverty. This would mean it was sent throughout most of the ancient Mediterranean world. The author has traditionally been believed to be James, the brother of Jesus and an early leader of the church in Jerusalem. GOALS FOR THE MONTH Often times setting goals for an entire year can feel daunting. Sometimes things are easier broken down into smaller chunks of time. Consider setting a mini 30-day goal to kick off the year; an intentional commitment to something for 30 days. It can be something toward one of your goals that you want to create a habit around, or just something fun you want to invest in for a month. RESOURCES TO STUDY JAMES Resources on How to Study the Bible JAMES (New English Translation (NET)) Salutation 1 From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings! Joy in Trials 2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. 5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways. 9 Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. 10 But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow. 11 For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away. 12 Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. 16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. 18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Living Out the Message 19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. 20 For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. 23 For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out—he will be blessed in what he does. 26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their adversity and to keep oneself unstained by the world. Prejudice and the Law of Love 2 My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 2 For if someone comes into your assembly wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes, 3 do you pay attention to the one who is finely dressed and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and to the poor person, “You stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor”? 4 If so, have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme the good name of the one you belong to? 8 But if you fulfill the royal law as expressed in this scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show prejudice, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as violators. 10 For the one who obeys the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a violator of the law. 12 Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. 13 For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment. Faith and Works Together 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear. 20 But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. The Power of the Tongue 3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence—and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. 8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. 11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. True Wisdom 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. 18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace. Passions and Pride 4 Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you? 2 You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask; 3 you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions. 4 Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy. 5 Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, “The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”? 6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.” 7 So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into despair. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you. 11 Do not speak against one another, brothers and sisters. He who speaks against a fellow believer or judges a fellow believer speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but its judge. 12 But there is only one who is lawgiver and judge—the one who is able to save and destroy. On the other hand, who are you to judge your neighbor? 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” 14 You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. 15 You ought to say instead, “If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast about your arrogant plans. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin. Warning to the Rich 5 Come now, you rich! Weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming on you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your clothing has become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted and their rust will be a witness against you. It will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have hoarded treasure! 4 Look, the pay you have held back from the workers who mowed your fields cries out against you, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 5 You have lived indulgently and luxuriously on the earth. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person, although he does not resist you. Patience in Suffering 7 So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. 8 You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name. 11 Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 12 And above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall into judgment. Prayer for the Sick 13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up—and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months! 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land sprouted with a harvest. 19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from his wandering path will save that person’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 1 From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings! Joy in Trials 2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. 5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways. 9 Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. 10 But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow. 11 For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away. 12 Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. 16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. 18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Living Out the Message 19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. 20 For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. 23 For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out—he will be blessed in what he does. 26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their adversity and to keep oneself unstained by the world. Prejudice and the Law of Love 2 My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 2 For if someone comes into your assembly wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes, 3 do you pay attention to the one who is finely dressed and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and to the poor person, “You stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor”? 4 If so, have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme the good name of the one you belong to? 8 But if you fulfill the royal law as expressed in this scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show prejudice, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as violators. 10 For the one who obeys the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a violator of the law. 12 Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. 13 For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment. Faith and Works Together 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear. 20 But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. The Power of the Tongue 3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence—and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. 8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. 11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. True Wisdom 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. 18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace. Passions and Pride 4 Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you? 2 You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask; 3 you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions. 4 Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy. 5 Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, “The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”? 6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.” 7 So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into despair. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you. 11 Do not speak against one another, brothers and sisters. He who speaks against a fellow believer or judges a fellow believer speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but its judge. 12 But there is only one who is lawgiver and judge—the one who is able to save and destroy. On the other hand, who are you to judge your neighbor? 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” 14 You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. 15 You ought to say instead, “If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast about your arrogant plans. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin. Warning to the Rich 5 Come now, you rich! Weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming on you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your clothing has become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted and their rust will be a witness against you. It will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have hoarded treasure! 4 Look, the pay you have held back from the workers who mowed your fields cries out against you, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 5 You have lived indulgently and luxuriously on the earth. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person, although he does not resist you. Patience in Suffering 7 So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. 8 You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name. 11 Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 12 And above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall into judgment. Prayer for the Sick 13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up—and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months! 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land sprouted with a harvest. 19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from his wandering path will save that person’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
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अध्याय 1 1 परमेश्वर अनि परमप्रभु येशू ख्रीष्टको एक सेवक याकूबद्वारा अभिवादनपरमेश्वरको सम्पूर्ण मानिसहरू प्रति, जो संसारमा हरेक स्थानमा छरिएका छन् अभिवादन! 2 मेरो दाज्यू-भाइ अनि दिदी बहिनीहरू, जब तिमीहरूकहाँ नाना थरीका कष्टहरू हुन्छ तिमीहरू खुशी हुनुपर्छ। 3 किन? किनभने तिमीहरू जान्दछौ, कि यस्ता कुराले तिमीहरूको विश्वासलाई जाँच गर्दछ। अनि यसले तिमीहरूमा धैर्य सिर्जना गर्नेछ। 4 तिमीहरूले जे गर्छौ, त्यसमा तिमीहरूको पूरा धैर्यलाई काम गर्नु देऊ। तब तिमीहरू परिपक्क अनि पूर्ण हुनेछौ, तिमीहरूलाई कुनै कुराको अभाव हुनेछैन। 5 तर, तिमीहरू मध्ये कसैमा ज्ञानको कमी छ भने तिमीहरूले परमेश्वरसित माँग्नु पर्छ। परमेश्वरले सबै मानिसहरूलाई उदार चित्तले आनन्दसित दिनु हुनेछ। यसर्थ, परमेश्वरले तिमीहरूलाई ज्ञान दिनु हुनेछ। 6 तर, जब तिमीहरूले परमेश्वरसित केही कुरा माग्छौ, तिमीहरूले विश्वास गर्नु पर्छ। परमेश्वर प्रति सन्देह नगर। व्यक्ति, जसले सन्देह गर्छ, त्यो सागरको लहर जस्तै हो। हावाले लहरलाई तल र माथि गराउँछ। 7 व्यक्ति जसले सन्देह गर्छ, एकै समयमा दुई भिन्न कुराहरू सोचिरहेको हुनेछन्। त्यसले गर्ने कुनै पनि कुरामा निर्णय लिनु सक्तैन। त्यस्तो व्यक्तिले परमप्रभुबाट कुनै पनि कुरा प्राप्त गर्नेछु भनी सोच्नु हुँदैन। 9 यदि विश्वासी निर्धन भए उ र्गवित हुनुपर्छ, किनभने परमेश्वरले उसलाई धनी बनाउनु भएको छ। 10 यदि विश्वासी धनी भए उ र्गवित हुनुपर्छ किनभने उ गरीब छ। धनी मानिस जङ्गली फूल सरी मर्नेछ। 11 सूर्यको उसको पोल्ने तापसित उदय हुन्छ। सूर्यको तापले घाँसलाई ओइलाईदिन्छ। फूल झर्छ, फूल सुन्दर थियो, तर अहिले त्यो भूँईमा झर्यो। धनी व्यक्तिसित त्यही कुराहुन्छ। उसको व्यपारको योजना गर्दा गर्दै मर्छ। 12 त्यो मानिस धन्य हो जो आपत-विपतमा स्थिर रहन्छ, किनकि जाँचको सामना गरिसकेपछि त्यसले जीवनको त्यो मुकुट पाउनेछ, जो परमेश्वरले उहाँलाई प्रेम गर्नेहरूलाई दिने प्रतिज्ञा गर्नुभएको छ। 13 यदि कुनै मानिस परमेश्वरले परिक्षामा पार्नु भयो भने उसले यो भन्नुहुँदैन, “परमेश्वरले मलाई प्रलोभित गराउँदै हुनु हुन्छ।” दुष्टले परमेश्वरलाई परिक्षा तुल्याउन सक्तैन। अनि परमेश्वर स्वयंले कुनै पनि व्यक्तिलाई प्रलोभित तुल्याउनु हुँदैन। 14 एकजना व्यक्तिलाई आफ्नै दुष्ट कुराले प्रलोभित तुल्याउँछ। उसको आफ्नै दुष्ट इच्छाले बाहिर तान्छ अनि उसलाई जालमा फसाउँछ। 15 दुष्ट इच्छाबाट पाप जन्मन्छ। जब पाप बढछ, यसले मृत्यु जन्माउँछ। 16 मेरा प्रिय भाइ-बहिनीहरू, मूर्ख नबन। 17 सबै असल कुरा परमेश्वरबाट आउँछ। अनि हरेक पक्का उपहार परमेश्वरबाट आएको हो। यी सब असल उपहारहरू उहाँ पिताबाट आउँछन् जसले स्वर्गका सम्पूर्ण ज्योतिहरू निर्माण गर्नु भयो। तर छाँया ती ज्योतिहरूबाट बद्लिए जस्तो परमेश्वर कहिल्यै परिवर्त्तन हुनुहुँदैन। उहाँ सदैव समान रहनुहुन्छ। 18 सत्यको वचनबाट परमेश्वरले हामीलाई उहाँको बालक बनाउने निर्णय लिनु भयो। उहाँले सृजना गरेको वस्तुहरू मध्ये हामीलाई सब भन्दा महत्वपूर्ण बनाउनु इच्छा गर्नुभयो। 19 मेरा प्रिय भाइ-बहिनीहरू यसमा ध्यान देऊ “चाँडो सुन्ने, बिस्तार बोल्ने र ढिलो रिसाउने गर। 20 एकजना क्रोधित मानिस परमेश्वरले चाहे जस्तो धार्मिक भई बाँच्न सक्तैन। 21 यसर्थ तिमीहरूको जीवनबाट हरेक दुष्ट कुरा अनि दुष्ट कर्म बाहिर फ्याँकिदेऊ। विनम्र बन अनि परमेश्वरको वचन स्वीकार जो परमेश्वरले तिमीहरूको ह्रदयमा रोपिदिनु भएको छ। यो उपदेशले तिम्रो जीवनलाई बचाउँनेछ। 22 परमेश्वरको शिक्षा अनुसरण गर। खाली सुन्ने काम मात्र नगर। किनभने जब तिमी बस्छौ अनि केवल सुन्छौ, तिमीले स्वयंलाई मूर्ख तुल्याउँछौ। 23 यदि एकजना व्यक्तिले परमेश्वरको वचन सुन्छ अनि अनुसरण गर्दैन भने उ यस्तो हुन्छ उ त्यो मान्छे जस्तै हुन्छ जसले आफ्नो अनुहार ऐनामा हेर्छ। 24 यो मान्छेले उ आफैलाई देख्छ, त्यस पछि जान्छ अनि उ के देखिएको थियो सो झट्टै बिर्सिहाल्छ। 25 तर वास्तवमा सुखी मानिस त्यो हो जसले परमेश्वरको सही नियम पालनगर्छ, जसले मानिसहरूलाई स्वतन्त्र तुल्याउँछ। उसले त्यसलाई अध्ययन गरिरहन्छ। उसले परमेश्वरको वचन सुन्छ अनि उसले जे सुन्यो त्यो बिर्सदैन। तब वचनमा जे भनिएको छ पालन गर्छ। त्यस मानिस जसले त्यसो गर्छ, सुखी हुनेछ। 26 कोही मानिस आफूलाई धार्मिक सम्झन सक्छ। तर यदि त्यो व्यक्तिले होशियारसित बोल्दैन भने उसले स्वयंलाई मूर्ख तुल्याइरहेको हुन्छ। उसको “धर्म” कुनै काममा आउँदैन। 27 पवित्र अनि असल धर्म जो परमेश्वरले स्वीकार गर्नु हुन्छ त्यो यस्तो छ टुहुराहरू अनि विधवाहरू जसलाई सहायताको आवश्यक्ता छ तिनीहरूको हेरचाह गर अनि आफू स्वयंलाई संसारको नराम्रो जीवनबाट मुक्त राख। यो नै धर्म हो जसलाई परमेश्वरले शुद्ध अनि असल ठानेर स्वीकार गर्नु हुनेछ। अध्याय 2 1 मेरा प्रिय दाज्यू-भाइ अनि दिदी-बहिनीहरू, तिमीहरू हाम्रा गौरवमय प्रभु येशु ख्रीष्टका विश्वासीहरू हौ। यसर्थ यस्तो नसोच कि कोही मानिसहरू अन्य मानिसहरू भन्दा मुख्य छन्। 2 मानौं, कोही एकजना तिम्रो मण्डलीभित्र प्रवेश गर्छ। उसले खूबै सुन्दर वस्त्र अनि सुनको औठी पहिरेकोछ। त्यही समयमा एक गरीब मानिस पुरानो, मैला लुगा लाएर आउँछ। 3 तिमीहरू त्यो मानिस जो सुन्दर बस्त्र लगाएको छ त्यसलाई विशेष ध्यान दिन्छौ। तिमीहरू भन्छौ, “यो राम्रो आसनमा बस्नुहोस्।” तर गरीब मानिसलाई तिमीहरू भन्छौ, “त्यहाँ उभ्” वा “तिमीहरूको पाउ छेउको चटाईमा बस्” 4 तिमीहरू के गरिरहेछौ? तिमीहरूले कुनै एक व्यक्तिलाई भन्दा अर्को व्यक्तिलाई अधिक महत्व दिइरहेकाछौ। तिमीहरूको दुष्ट मनले निर्णय लिइरहेका छौ, एक मानिस भन्दा अर्को मानिस राम्रो छ। 5 सुन मेरा प्यारा भाइ अनि बहिनीहरू, अनि यसपछि के परमेश्वरले गरीबहरूलाई विश्वासमा धनी हुन चुन्नु भएको छैन? तिनीहरूको निम्ति जसले उहाँलाई प्रेम गर्छन, परमेश्वरले ती मानिसहरूलाई उहाँले प्रतिज्ञा गर्नु भएको राज्य प्राप्त गर्न चुन्नु भयो। 6 तर तिमीहरूले गरीब मानिसप्रति सम्मान देखाउँदैनौ। अनि तिमीहरू जान्दछौ कि धनी मानिसहरू ती मानिसहरू हुनु जसले सदैव तिमीहरूलाई आफ्नो वशमा राख्ने कोशिश गर्छन्। अनि ती मानिसहरूनै हुन् जसले तिमीहरूलाई न्यायलय तिर पुर्याउँछन्। 7 अनि, यी ती धनी मानिसहरू हुन्, जसले येशुको नाउँको निन्दा गर्छन् जसद्वारा तिमीहरू बोलाइन्छौ। 8 बरू तिमीहरू शास्त्रमा पाइने राजकीय नियम पालन गर, त्यो धर्मशास्त्रमा पाइन्छ “अन्य मानिसहरूलाई त्यसरी नै प्रेम गर जसरी तिमीहरू स्वयंलाई प्रेम गर्छौ।”यदि तिमीहरूले यो नियम पालन गरयौ भने तब तिमीहरूले ठिक काम गर्छौ। 9 तर, यदि एक व्यक्तिलाई अर्कोलाई भन्दा अधिक महत्व दियौ भने, तिमीलें पाप गर्छौ अनि परमेश्वरको राजकीय नियम भङ्ग गरेकोमा दोषी ठहरिनेछौ। 10 कुनै मानिस परमेश्वरको सबै व्यवस्था पालन गर्दा कुनै एउटामा चुक्यो भने त्यो मानिस जम्मै व्यवस्था भङ्ग गरेको दोषमा पर्नेछ। 11 परमेश्वरले भन्नु भएकोछ, “व्यभिचार नगर।”उनै परमेश्वरले भन्नु भएको छ, “हत्या नगर।”यसर्थ, यदि तिमीहरूले व्यभिचार गरेनौ तर तिमीहरूले कुनै व्यक्तिलाई मार्यौ भने पनि तिमीहरू परमेश्वरको व्यवस्था भङग गरेका दोषी ठहरिन्छौ। 12 तिमीहरू त्यो नियमद्वारा जाँच गरिन्छौ, जुन नियमले मानिसहरूलाई मुक्त तुल्याउँछ। तिमीहरूले दैनिक बोल चाल औ कर्ममा यस कुरोलाई याद राख्नु पर्छ। 13 यदि तिमीहरू अरूलाई दया गर्न चुकेका छौ भने तिम्रो न्याय भइरहेको समयमा परमेश्वरले तिमीलाई दया दर्शाउनु हुन्न। तर त्यो मानिस जसले दया देखाउँछ, उसको न्याय गरिएको समयमा उ निर्भय भएर रहन सक्ने छ। 14 मेरा प्रिय भाइ-बहिनीहरू, यदि कुनै व्यक्तिले उसित विश्वास छ भन्छ तर केही गर्दैन, तब त्यो विश्वास बेकामको हो। त्यस्तो विश्वासले उसलाई बचाउँन सक्छ? अहँ! 15 परमप्रभु ख्रीष्टमा विश्वास गर्ने भाइ वा बहिनीलाई बस्त्रहरू अनि भोजनको आवश्यक पर्न सक्छ। 16 अनि त्यो व्यक्तिलाई तिमीहरू भन्छौ, “शान्ति साथ जाऊ। म आशा गर्छु तिम्रोमा गरम लुगाहरू र प्रशस्त भोजन छन्।” यद्यपि तिमीहरू उसको खाँचो पुरा गर्दैनौ, तिमीहरूका शब्दहरू अर्थहीन छन्। 17 यो कुरा विश्वासको सम्बन्धमा पनि यस्तै हो। यदि विश्वासले केही गर्दैन भने त्यो विश्वास मृततुल्य हो किनभने त्यो विश्वास एक्लो भई मरेको हुन्छ। 18 एकजना व्यक्तिले भन्न सक्छ, “तिमीसँग विश्वास छ, तर ममा कम छ। जब तिम्रो विश्वासले केही काम गर्दैन भने तिम्रो विश्वासको प्रमाण गर। मेरो विश्वासले गरेको कामबाट म विश्वास प्रमाण गर्न सक्छु।” 19 तिमीहरू विश्वास गर्छौ परमेश्वर एक हुनुहुन्छ। साँच्ची नै! तर भूतहरूले पनि विश्वास गर्छन्, अनि तिनीहरू भयले काम्छन्। 20 तिमी मूर्ख व्यक्तिहरू! के तिमीहरूलाई प्रमाण दिनु पर्छ कि बिना कर्मको विश्वास बेकामे हो? 21 अब्राहाम हाम्रा पूर्वज हुनुहुन्छ। जब तिनले आफ्नो छोरो इसहाकलाई परमेश्वर समक्ष वेदीमा चढाए, उनको कर्मबाट परमेश्वर अघि अब्राहामलाई धार्मिक बनाइयो। 22 यसर्थ, तिमीहरू देख्छौ कि अब्राहामले विश्वास गरे अनि उनले गरेका कुराहरूको साथ साथ काम गरे। उनको कर्मले देखायो कि उनको विश्वास पूर्ण थियो। 23 यसैले धर्मशास्त्रको अर्थ स्पष्ट झल्काउँछ “अब्राहामले परमेश्वरमाथि विश्वास गरे अनि परमेश्वरले अब्राहामको विश्वास स्वीकार गर्नु भयो अनि परमेश्वरले अब्राहामलाई धार्मिक मान्नु भयो।”अब्राहामलाई “परमेश्वरको मित्र मानिन्थ्यो।” 24 यसरी तिमीहरूले देख्छौ कि एक मानिस उसले गरेका कर्मद्वारा परमेश्वरसित सही बन्दछ अनि उसको विश्वासबाट मात्र होइन। 25 अर्को उदाहरण छ राहाब। राहाब एक वेश्या थिइन्। तर उनको कर्मको कारणले, जब तिनले गुप्तचरहरू लुकाइन् अनि तिनीहरूलाई अर्कै बाटोबाट उम्कन सहायता गरिन्, परमेश्वरको अघि तिनी धार्मिक देखिइन्। 26 आत्मा विनाको शरीर मृततुल्य हो। विश्वासको मूल्य पनि यस्तै हो। विश्वास जसले केही गर्दैन त्यो मृत-तुल्य हो। अध्याय 3 1 मेरा भाइ अनि बहिनीहरू, तिमीहरूमध्ये धेरै शिक्षक हुनु हुँदैन। किन? किनभने तिमीहरू जान्दछौ कि हामी जसले शिक्षा दिन्छौं अन्य मानिसहरू भन्दा कठिन प्रकारले जाँच गरिनेछौं। 2 हामी सबैले अनेकौ गल्तीहरू गर्छौं। यदि कसैले कहिल्यै पनि कुवचन बोलेनौं भने त्यो पक्का मानिस बन्नेछ। उ आफ्ना सम्पूर्ण सरिरलाई नियन्त्रणमा राख्न समर्थ हुनेछन्। 3 घोडालाई नियन्त्रणमा राख्न, हामी लगाम लगाइदिन्छौ। घोडाहरूका मुखमा लगाइएको लगामले हामी तिनीहरूको सम्मूर्ण शरिलाई अधीनमा राख्न सक्छौ। 4 जहाजहरू पनि यस्तै हुन्छन्। जहाज अत्यन्त विशाल हुन्छ अनि यसलाई शक्तिशाली वायुले धकेल्छ। तर सानो पतवारले विशाल जहाजलाई नियन्त्रण गर्छ। अनि नाविकले जहाज कता जानुपर्नेहो निर्णय गर्छ। 5 हाम्रो जिब्रो पनि यस्तै हो। यो शरीरको एक सुक्ष्म अङ्ग हो। तर यसले महान कुराको गर्व गर्छ।एउटा सानो फिलुंगोले वन सखाप पार्न सक्छ। 6 जिब्रो आगोको फिलुंगो जस्तै हो। हाम्रो शरीरका अंशहरू मध्ये यो दुष्टताको संसार हो। कसरी? जिब्रोले सारा शरीर नष्ट पार्छ। यसले हाम्रो सम्पूर्ण अस्तित्व नै ध्वंश पार्न सक्छ र नरकको आगोमा त्यो जल्छ। 7 मानिसहरूले हरेक किसिमका जङ्गली पशु चरा-चुरूङ्गीहरू, घस्रने प्राणीहरू अनि सामुद्रिक प्राणीहरू तह लगाउने सक्छन्। मानिसहरूले यी सबै प्राणीहरूलाई तहलगाएका छन्। 8 कसैले कहिल्यै जिब्रोलाई नियन्त्रण गर्नु सकेको छैन। यो जंगली अनि दुष्ट हुन्छ। जिब्रो विषले परिपूर्ण हुन्छ जसले मार्न सक्छ। 9 हामी हाम्रा जिब्रोलाई हाम्रो परमप्रभु अनि पिताको स्तुतिमा उपयोग गर्छौ। अनि अझै त्यही जिब्रोले हामी मानिसहरूलाई सराप्छौ जसलाई परमेश्वरको सकलमा बनाइएको छ। 10 स्तुति अनि सराप एउटै मुखबाट निस्कन्छन्। मेरा भाइ अनि बहिनीहरू, यस्तो हुनु हुँदैन। 11 के पानीको मूलबाट एउटै मिठो र तितो पानी एकैचोटी बग्छ? अहँ। 12 मेरा दाज्यू भाइ अनि दिदी बहिनी हो, के नेभारको बोटमा भद्राक्ष फल्न सक्छ? सक्तैन। के अंङ्गुरघारीमा नेभारा फल्छ? फल्दैन। तब, के नुनिलो उद्गमले मिठो पानी दिन सक्छ। 13 यहाँ तिमीहरू माझ कुनै यस्तो मानिस छ जो ज्ञानी अनि बुद्धिमान छ? तब उसले ठीकसित बसेर आफ्नो ज्ञानको प्रमाण दिनु पर्छ। उसले ज्ञानबाट आउने नम्रतासित काम गर्नुपर्छ। 14 यदि तिमीहरू स्वार्थी छौ अनि तिम्रो ह्रदय ईर्ष्या पूर्ण छ भने तिमीले तिम्रो ज्ञान बारेमा गर्व गर्ने केही कारण नै छैन। तिम्रो गर्व गराई झूटो सिवाय केही पनि होइन। 15 यस किसिमको “ज्ञान” माथिका परमेश्वरबाट आउँदैन। यो “ज्ञान” संसारबाट आउँछ। त्यो आध्यात्मिक होइन, त्यो शैतानबाट हो। 16 जहाँ इर्ष्या अनि स्वार्थ छ त्यहाँ अव्यवस्थित अनि हरेक किसिमको दुष्टाँई हुन्छन्। 17 तर ज्ञान जो माथिका परमेश्वरबाट आउँछ त्यो यस्तो हुन्छ प्रथम त्यो शुद्ध हुन्छ। त्यो शान्तिमय नम्र र र्तक संगति हुन्छ। यो ज्ञान सर्वदा जो मानिसहरू समस्यामा छन् तिनीहरूलाई सहायता गर्न सधैँ तत्पर रहन्छ अनि अन्य मानिसहरूको लागि उपकार गर्ने हुन्छ। यो ज्ञान सदैव निष्पक्ष अनि इमान्दार हुन्छ। 18 मानिसहरू जो शान्तिको निम्ति शान्तिसांथ कार्य गर्छन् तिनीहरूले धार्मिकताको फसल बटुल्छन्। अध्याय 4 1 के तिमीहरूलाई तिमीहरूको झगडा र लडाँईको श्रोत थाहा छ? तिमीहरूका झगडा अनि बहसहरू स्वार्थपूर्ण इच्छाहरूबाट आउछ जसले अन्तमा द्वन्द्व मच्चाउँछ, 2 तिमीहरू चाहन्छौ तर पाउँदैनौ जे तिमीहरू चाहन्छौ। यसर्थ तिमीहरू हत्या गर्छौ अनि अन्य मानिसहरू प्रति इर्ष्या गर्ने हुन्छौ। तैपनि जे इच्छा गर्छौ तिमीहरूले पाउँदैनौ। तिमीहरू झन बहस गर्छौ अनि जुझ्छौ। तिमीहरूले इच्छा गरेको बस्तुहरू पाउँदैनौ किनभने तिमीहरूले परमेश्वरसित माँग्दैनौ। 3 अथवा, जब तिमीहरू माग्छौ तिमीहरूले पाउँदैनौ। किन? किनभने तिमीहरूको माँग्ने तरिका गलत छ। तिमीहरू वस्तु चाहन्छौ केवल आफ्नै आनन्दको निम्ति। 4 अविश्वासनीय मानिस तिमीहरू यो संसारलाई माया गर्नु परमेश्वरलाई घृणा गर्नु जस्तै हो। यसर्थ यदि कोही मानिस संसारको मित्र हुन चाहन्छ भने उसले आफैलाई परमेश्वरको शत्रु तुल्याउँछ। 5 के तिमीहरू धर्मशास्त्रलाई वेकामे ठान्छौ? यसले भन्छ, “हामीमा परमेश्वरले राख्नु भएका आत्माको निम्ति उहाँ तिव्र डाह राख्नु हुन्छ।” 6 तर परमेश्वरको दया जो हामीलाई दिइएको छ, त्यो महान छ। धर्म शास्त्रले भनेको जस्तै, “घमण्डी मानिसहरूको विरूद्ध परमेश्वर हुनुहुन्छ, तर उहाँले ती मानिसहरूलाई दया प्रदान गर्नु हुन्छ जो विनम्र छन्।” 7 यसर्थ तिमीहरू स्वयंलाई परमेश्वरमा अर्पण गर। शैतानको विरोध गर, अनि तिमीहरूदेखि शैतान भाग्नेछ। 8 परमेश्वरको नजिक आऊ अनि परमेश्वर तिमीहरूको नजिक आउनु हुनेछ। तिमीहरू पापी हौ। यसर्थ तिमीहरूको जीवनदेखि पाप धोउ। जब तिमीहरू दुवै परमेश्वरको अनि संसारको सेवा गर्छौ तिमीहरूको दुइवटा मन छ। यसर्थ तिमीहरूको विचार शुद्ध तुल्याऊ। 9 उदास बन, दुखी बन अनि विलाप गर। तिमीहरूको हाँसोलाई रोदनमा परिणत गर। तिमीहरूको खुशीलाई अफसोसमा परिवर्त्तन गर। 10 परमप्रभुको सामुन्ने विनम्र बन अनि उहाँले तिमीहरूलाई उच्च पार्नु हुनेछ। 11 भाइ अनि बहिनीहरू, एक अर्काको विरूद्ध केही पनि नभन। जब तिमीहरू ख्रीष्टमा विश्वासी भाइलाई जाँच्छौ, तब तिमीहरू उनले अनुसरण गरेको नियम जाँच गरिरहेछौ। अनि जब तिमीहरू नियमको जाँच गरिरहेका हुन्छौ, तिमीहरू नियम अनुसरण गर्ने हुँदैनौ। तर तिमीहरू व्यवस्थाको न्यायकर्त्ता भयौ। 12 परमेश्वरले मात्र नियमहरू बनाउनु हुन्छ। उहाँमात्र न्यायधीश हुनुहुन्छ। केवल परमेश्वरमात्र हुनुहुन्छ जसले बचाउँन अनि नाश गर्नसक्नु हुन्छ। यसर्थ अन्य व्यक्तिको न्याय गर्नु तिमीहरूका निम्ति उचित हुँदैन। 13 तिमीहरू कसैले भन्छौ, “आज अथवा भोलि हामी कुनै नगरमा जानेछौं। हामी त्यहाँ र्वष दिन बस्छौं व्यापार गछौं अनि पैसा कमाउँछौं।” सुन! यस विषयमा सोच 14 भोलि के हुनेछ तिमीहरू जान्दैनौ। तिमीहरूको जीवन वाफ जस्तो छ। त्यसलाई तिमीहरू क्षण-भरको निम्ति देख्न सक्छौ, तर त्यसपछि त्यो हराइहाल्छ। 15 यसर्थ तिमीहरूले भन्नुपर्छ, “यदि परमप्रभुले चाहनु हुन्छ भने हामी जीवित रहनेछौ अनि यो वा त्यो गर्नेछौ।” 16 तर अहिले तिमीहरू घमण्डी छौ अनि तिमीहरू घमण्ड गर्छौ। यी सब घमण्ड गराई भूल हो। 17 अनि जब एक व्यक्तिले भलाई गर्न जान्दछ, तर भलाई गर्दैन, भने उसले पाप गरिरहेछ। अध्याय 5 1 तिमी धनी मानिसहरू, सुन! विलाप गर अनि अत्यन्त शोकाकुल बन किनभने तिमीहरूमाथि अनेक आपतहरू आई पर्नेछ। 2 तिमीहरूको धन नष्ट हुनेछ अनि बेकार हुनेछ। तिमीहरूको वस्त्रहरू कीराले खानेछ। 3 तिमीहरूका सुन चाँदीमा कस लाग्नेछ अनि त्यो कसले तिमीहरूको विरोधमा साक्षी दिनेछ। त्यो कसले तिमीहरूको शरीरलाई आगोले झै खानेछ। तिमीहरुले सम्पती आखिरि दिनमा सञ्चितगरेका छौ। 4 मानिसहरूले तिमीहरूको खेतमा काम गरे, तर तिमीहरूले तिनीहरुलाई ज्याला दिएनौ। ती मानिसहरु तिमीहरुको विरूद्ध आवाज गरिरहेछन्। ती मानिसहरूले तिमीहरूको फसलहरू काटे। अहिले तिनीहरूले कराएको आवाज स्वर्गका परमप्रभुको सेनाहरूले सुने। 5 पृथ्वीमा तिमीहरूको जीवन सम्पत्तिले सम्पन्न जीवन थियो। तिमीहरूले, आफूले चाहेका हरेक बस्तुद्वारा स्वयंलाई खुशी तुल्यायौ। तिमीहरू स्वयंले मार्नुको तिम्ति तयार पारेको मोटो पशु जस्तो तुल्यायौ। 6 तिमीहरूले निर्देष मानिसहरूको र्भत्सना गर्यौ, र मारी दियौ कसैले प्रतिरोध गरेनन्। 7 दाज्यु-भाइ अनि दिदी बहिनीहरू, धैर्य धारण गर, प्रभु येशू आउनु हुँदैछ। यसर्थ, त्यस समयसम्म धैर्य- धारण गर। कृषकहरू खुबै धैर्यवान छन्। कृषकले बहुमूल्य अन्न भूमिबाट उम्रनका निम्ति प्रतीक्षा गर्छ। कृषकले धैर्य साथ आफ्ना फसलले प्रथम वृष्टि अनि अन्तिम वृष्टि प्राप्त नगरूञ्जेल प्रतीक्षा गर्छ। 8 तिमीहरू धैर्यवान हुनुपर्छ। आशा नमार। प्रभु येशू चाँच्च्ै आउनु हुँदैछ। 9 दाज्यू-भाइ अनि दिदी-बहिनीहरू, एक अर्काको विरूद्ध नगनगनाऊ। यदि तिमीहरूले अरूको विरूद्धमा नालिस गर्न छाच्डेनौ भने तिमीहरू दोषी जाँचिने छौ. अनि न्यायधीश आउनुलाई तयार हुनुहुन्छ। 10 दाज्यू-भाइ अनि दिदी-बहिनीहरू, अगमवक्ताहरूलाई अनुसरण गर जसले परमप्रभुको निम्ति बोले। तिनीहरूले अनेक अप्ठ्यारो परिस्थितिको सामना गरे। तर तिनीहरूले धैर्य धारण गरे। 11 हामी तिनीहरूलाई खुशी ठान्छौ जसले धैर्यपूर्वक अप्ठ्यारो परिस्थितिको सामना गरे। तिमीहरूले अय्यूबको धैर्यको बारेमा सुनेका छौ। तिमीहरूलाई थाहा छ, अय्यूबले सबै यातना सामना गरे पछि परमप्रभुले तिनलाई सहायता गर्नु भयो। यसले यो झल्काउँछ कि परमप्रभु दयामयी अनि कृपामयी हुनुहुन्छ। 12 मेरा दज्यू-भाइ औ दिदी-बहिनीहरू, जब केही गर्न वचन दिन्छौ, तिमीहरूले कसम खानु हुँदैँन। तिमीहरूको वचन प्रमाण गर्न स्वर्ग, पृथ्वी अथवा कुनै चीजको नाउँको उपयोग नगर। जब तिमी बुझ्छौ ‘हो’ भन्ने केवल “हो” मात्र भन। यदि तिमी बुझ्छौ “होइन” भन्ने “होइन” मात्र भन। त्यो गर ताकि तिमीहरू दोषी जँचिने छैनौ। 13 यदि तिमीहरू मध्ये एक जनाले कष्टहरू भोगिरहेको छ भने उसले प्रार्थना गर्नु पर्छ अनि यदि तिमीहरू मध्ये एकजना सुखी छ भने, उसले गीतहरू गाउनु पर्छ। 14 यदि तिमीहरू मध्ये एकजना विरामी छ भने, उसले मण्डलीका अग्रजहरूलाई बोलाउनु पर्छ। अग्रजहरूले उसलाई परमप्रभुको नाउँमा तेल मालिस गरिदिनु पर्छ अनि तिनीहरूले उसको निम्ति प्रार्थना गरिदिनु पर्छ। 15 विश्वाससित गरेको प्रार्थनाले विमारीमा निको पार्छ। परमप्रभुले उसलाई निको पार्नु हुन्छ। अनि यदि त्यो व्यक्तिले पाप गरेको भए परमेश्वरले उसलाई क्षमा प्रदान गर्नु हुनेछ। 16 सधैँ तिमीहरू एक अर्कामा पाप स्वीकार गर। तब एक अर्काको निम्ति प्रार्थना गर। यसो गर, तब परमेश्वरले तिमीहरूलाई निको पार्नु हुन्छ। धार्मिक मानिसको प्रार्थना शाक्तिशाली र प्रभावशाली हुन्छ। 17 एलिया पनि हामी जस्तै मानिस थिए। तिनले पानी नपरोस् भनी, गम्भीरता पूर्वक प्रार्थना गरे, त्यस भूमिमा तीन र्बषसम्म पानी परेन। 18 तब एलियाले पानी परोस् भनी प्रार्थना गरे। अनि आकाशबाट पानी पर्यो अनि भूमिले फेरि फसल उमार्यो। 19 मेरा दाज्यू-भाइ अनि दिदी-बहिनीहरू, तिमीहरू मध्ये एकजना सत्यदेखि बरालीन सक्छौ। अनि अर्को व्यक्तिले उसलाई सत्यतर्फ फर्की आउन सहायता गर्न सक्छ। 20 यसलाई स्मरण गर कुनै मानिस जसले एक पापीलाई नराम्रो मार्गबाट फर्काई ल्याउँछ, उसले त्यस पापीको आत्मालाई मृत्युबाट बँचाउनेछ। यसो गरेर त्यस व्यक्तिले धेरै पापहरू प्रति क्षमा प्राप्त गराउनेछ।