Iacobi 1
1 Iacobus Dei, et Domini nostri Iesu Christi servus, duodecim tribubus, quae sunt in dispersione, salutem.
This letter comes from James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is sent to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. Best wishes to you!
2 Omne gaudium existimate fratres mei, cum in tentationes varias incideritis:
My friends, choose to stay happy even when all kinds of troubles come your way,
3 scientes quod probatio fidei vestrae patientiam operatur.
because you know that endurance comes from dealing with challenges to your trust in God.
4 Patientia autem opus perfectum habet: ut sitis perfecti et integri in nullo deficientes.
Let your endurance become as strong as possible, so that you will be completely mature, without any shortcomings.
5 Si quis autem vestrum indiget sapientia, postulet a Deo, qui dat omnibus affluenter, et non improperat: et dabitur ei.
If any of you need wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to everyone without holding back.
6 Postulet autem in fide nihil haesitans: qui enim haesitat, similis est fluctui maris, qui a vento movetur et circumfertur.
But when you ask, remember to trust in God—don't have any doubts. Someone who doubts is like the crashing waves of the sea, tossed about and driven by the wind.
7 non ergo aestimet homo ille quod accipiat aliquid a Domino.
Nobody like that should think they'll get anything from the Lord—
8 Vir duplex animo inconstans est in omnibus viis suis.
their minds think every which way, and they're unstable in whatever they do.
9 Glorietur autem frater humilis in exaltatione sua:
Believers who are born poor should take pride in the high position they've been given,
10 dives autem in humilitate sua, quoniam sicut flos foeni transibit:
while the rich should “boast” in the humble position they now have, since they will fade away like flowers in 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 along with the blistering wind and scorches the grass. The flowers fall and their beauty is marred. Everything the rich achieve will fade in just the same way.
12 Beatus vir, qui suffert tentationem: quoniam cum probatus fuerit, accipiet coronam vitae, quam repromisit Deus diligentibus se.
Happy is anyone who patiently endures temptation, for when they've proved that they are trustworthy, they will receive the crown of life which God promises to those who love him.
13 Nemo cum tentatur, dicat quoniam a Deo tentatur: Deus enim intentator malorum est: ipse autem neminem tentat.
Nobody should say when they're tempted, “I'm being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.
14 Unusquisque vero tentatur a concupiscentia sua abstractus, et illectus.
Temptations come from our own evil desires that lead us astray and entrap us.
15 Deinde concupiscentia cum conceperit, parit peccatum: peccatum vero cum consummatum fuerit, generat mortem.
Such desires lead to sin, and sin, when it's fully developed, causes death.
16 Nolite itaque errare fratres mei dilectissimi.
My dear friends, don't be deceived.
17 Omne datum optimum, et omne donum perfectum desursum est, descendens a Patre luminum, apud quem non est transmutatio, nec vicissitudinis obumbratio.
All that's good, every perfect gift, is from above, and comes down from the Father who made heaven's lights. Unlike them he doesn't change—he doesn't vary or cause shadows.
18 Voluntarie enim genuit nos verbo veritatis, ut simus initium aliquod creaturae eius.
He chose to give us new life through the word of truth, so that out of all his creation we would be very special to him.
19 Scitis fratres mei dilectissimi. Sit autem omnis homo velox ad audiendum: tardus autem ad loquendum, et tardus ad iram.
Remember this, my dear friends: everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak, and slow to get angry,
20 Ira enim viri, iustitiam Dei non operatur.
because human anger doesn't reflect the good character of God.
21 Propter quod abiicientes omnem immunditiam, et abundantiam malitiae, in mansuetudine suscipite insitum verbum, quod potest salvare animas vestras.
So get rid of all that's filthy and evil. Humbly accept the word that's been implanted within you—for this is what can save you.
22 Estote autem factores verbi, et non auditores tantum: fallentes vosmetipsos.
But do what the word says—don't just listen to it and delude yourselves.
23 Quia si quis auditor est verbi, et non factor: hic comparabitur viro consideranti vultum nativitatis suae in speculo:
If you just listen to the word, and don't act on it, it's like staring at your own face in a mirror.
24 consideravit enim se, et abiit, et statim oblitus est qualis fuerit.
You see yourself, but then you leave, and immediately forget what you looked 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 if you look to the perfect law of freedom and follow it, not as someone who just listens and then forgets, but as someone who acts on it—then you will be blessed in what you do.
26 Si quis autem putat se religiosum esse, non refrenans linguam suam, sed seducens cor suum, huius vana est religio.
If you think you're religious, but don't control what you say, you deceive yourself—your religion is pointless.
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.
In the eyes of our God and Father, religion that's pure and genuine is to visit orphans and widows in their suffering, and to keep yourself from being contaminated by the world.
