James, a servant of God of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered across the nations, greetings. Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith produces perserverance. Perserance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. But he who asks must beleive and not doubt for he who doubts is like a wave in the sea, toss and blown by the winds. That man should not think he’ll get anything from the Lord. He is a double minded man. Unstable in all his ways.
He who is humble position ought to take pride in his high position, but he who is rich should take pride in his low position for he will fade away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scrouching heat and withers the plant. It’s blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. Likewise, the rich man will fade away while he goes about his business.
Blessed is the man who perserveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, one should not say “God is tempting me” for God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone. but each is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed. After desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin. When sin is full blown, it gives birth to death.
Dont’ be deceived my bothers, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights, which does not change like shifting shadows. But he choose to give us birth through the word of truth so that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he has created.
Take note of this : everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to be angry. For a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalant and humbly accept the word that has been planted in you, which can save you.
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. For anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard but doing it, that man will be blessed in what he does.
If you consider yourself religious but do not keep a tight reign on your tongue, you deceive yourselves and your religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father considers pure and faultless is this, to take care of the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being poluted by the world.
*this chapter was recited, therefore it might not be as accurate. it’s my “Nearly InImperfect Version” 
