James 1:1-8 (King James)

1.)James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

2.) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3.) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4.) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

5.) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6.) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7.) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8.) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

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James 1:1-8 (The Message)

1.) I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello! Faith Under Pressure

2 -4.) Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

5 -8.) If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.