Iacobi 1
1 Iacobus Dei, et Domini nostri Iesu Christi servus, duodecim tribubus, quae sunt in dispersione, salutem.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.
2 Omne gaudium existimate fratres mei, cum in tentationes varias incideritis:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
3 scientes quod probatio fidei vestrae patientiam operatur.
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Patientia autem opus perfectum habet: ut sitis perfecti et integri in nullo deficientes.
Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 Si quis autem vestrum indiget sapientia, postulet a Deo, qui dat omnibus affluenter, et non improperat: et dabitur ei.
Now 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.
6 Postulet autem in fide nihil haesitans: qui enim haesitat, similis est fluctui maris, qui a vento movetur et circumfertur.
But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 non ergo aestimet homo ille quod accipiat aliquid a Domino.
That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8 Vir duplex animo inconstans est in omnibus viis suis.
He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Glorietur autem frater humilis in exaltatione sua:
The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.
10 dives autem in humilitate sua, quoniam sicut flos foeni transibit:
But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
11 exortus est enim sol cum ardore, et arefecit foenum, et flos eius decidit, et decor vultus eius deperiit: ita et dives in itineribus suis marcescet.
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Beatus vir, qui suffert tentationem: quoniam cum probatus fuerit, accipiet coronam vitae, quam repromisit Deus diligentibus se.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
13 Nemo cum tentatur, dicat quoniam a Deo tentatur: Deus enim intentator malorum est: ipse autem neminem tentat.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.
14 Unusquisque vero tentatur a concupiscentia sua abstractus, et illectus.
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.
15 Deinde concupiscentia cum conceperit, parit peccatum: peccatum vero cum consummatum fuerit, generat mortem.
Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Nolite itaque errare fratres mei dilectissimi.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
17 Omne datum optimum, et omne donum perfectum desursum est, descendens a Patre luminum, apud quem non est transmutatio, nec vicissitudinis obumbratio.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
18 Voluntarie enim genuit nos verbo veritatis, ut simus initium aliquod creaturae eius.
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.
19 Scitis fratres mei dilectissimi. Sit autem omnis homo velox ad audiendum: tardus autem ad loquendum, et tardus ad iram.
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
20 Ira enim viri, iustitiam Dei non operatur.
for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.
21 Propter quod abiicientes omnem immunditiam, et abundantiam malitiae, in mansuetudine suscipite insitum verbum, quod potest salvare animas vestras.
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.
22 Estote autem factores verbi, et non auditores tantum: fallentes vosmetipsos.
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.
23 Quia si quis auditor est verbi, et non factor: hic comparabitur viro consideranti vultum nativitatis suae in speculo:
For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,
24 consideravit enim se, et abiit, et statim oblitus est qualis fuerit.
and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 Qui autem perspexerit in lege perfectae libertatis, et permanserit in ea, non auditor obliviosus factus, sed factor operis: hic beatus in facto suo erit.
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.
26 Si quis autem putat se religiosum esse, non refrenans linguam suam, sed seducens cor suum, huius vana est religio.
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
27 Religio munda, et immaculata apud Deum et Patrem, haec est: Visitare pupillos, et viduas in tribulatione eorum, et immaculatum se custodire ab hoc saeculo.
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
