1. I, James, am writing this letter. I serve God and the Lord Jesus Christ. I am sending this letter to you, the 12 tribes that are scattered among the nations. Greetings.
2. My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy.
3. Your faith will be put to the test. You know that when that happens it will produce in you the strength to continue.
4. The strength to keep going must be allowed to finish its work. Then you will be all you should be. You will have everything you need.
5. If any of you need wisdom, ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone. He doesn't find fault.
6. But when you ask, you must believe. You must not doubt. People who doubt are like waves of the sea. The wind blows and tosses them around.
7. A man like that shouldn't expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8. He can't make up his mind. He can never decide what to do.
9. A believer who finds himself in a low position in life should be proud that God has given him a high position.
10. But someone who is rich should take pride in his low position. That's because he will fade away like a wild flower.
11. The sun rises. Its burning heat dries up the plants. Their blossoms fall. Their beauty is destroyed. In the same way, a rich person will fade away even as he goes about his business.