问候
神和主耶稣基督的仆人雅各问候散居在各处的十二个支派的人。
信心和智慧
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2我的弟兄们，你们遭受各种试炼时，都要认为是大喜乐，My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3因为知道你们的信心经过考验，就生忍耐。Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4但要让忍耐发挥完全的功用，使你们能又完全又完整，一无所缺。But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5你们中间若有缺少智慧的，该求那厚赐与众人又不斥责人的神，神必赐给他。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只要凭着信心求，一点也不疑惑；因为那疑惑的人，就像海中的波浪被风吹动翻腾。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这样的人不要想从主那里得到什么。For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8三心二意的人，在他一切所行的路上都摇摆不定。贫穷和富有
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
9卑微的弟兄要因高升而夸耀，Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10富足的却要因被降卑而夸耀，因为富足的人要消逝，如同草上的花一样。But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11太阳出来，热风刮起，草就枯干，花也凋谢，它美丽的样子就消失了；那富足的人在他一生的奔波中也要这样衰残。考验和试探
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12忍受试炼的人有福了，因为他经过考验以后必得生命的冠冕，这是主应许给爱他之人的。Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13人被诱惑，不可说：“我是被神诱惑”；因为神是不被恶诱惑的，他也不诱惑人。Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14但每一个人被诱惑是因自己的私欲牵引而被诱惑的。But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15私欲既怀了胎，就生出罪来；罪既长成，就生出死来。Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16我亲爱的弟兄们，不要被欺骗了。Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17各样美善的恩泽和各样完美的赏赐都是从上头来的，从众光之父那里降下来的；在他并没有改变，也没有转动的影儿。Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18他按自己的旨意，用真理的道生了我们，使我们在他所造的万物中成为初熟的果子。听道和行道
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19我亲爱的弟兄们，你们要明白：你们每一个人要快快地听，慢慢地说，慢慢地动怒，Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20因为人的怒气并不能实现神的义。For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21所以，你们要除去一切的污秽和累积的恶毒，要存温柔的心领受所栽种的道，就是能救你们灵魂的道。Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22但是，你们要作行道的人，不要只作听道的人，自己欺骗自己。But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23因为只听道而不行道的，就像人对着镜子观看自己本来的面目，For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24注视后，就离开，立刻忘了自己的相貌如何。For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25惟有查看那完美、使人自由的律法，并且时常遵守的，他不是听了就忘，而是切实行出来，这样的人在所行的事上必然蒙福。But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26若有人自以为虔诚，却不勒住自己的舌头，反欺骗自己的心，这人的虔诚是徒然的。If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27在神—我们的父面前，清洁没有玷污的虔诚就是看顾在患难中的孤儿寡妇，并且保守自己不沾染世俗。Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
警告偏私
我的弟兄们，你们信奉我们荣耀的主耶稣基督，就不可按着外貌待人。
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2若有一个人戴着金戒指，穿着华丽的衣服，进入你们的会堂，又有一个穷人穿着肮脏的衣服也进去，For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3而你们只看重那穿华丽衣服的人，说：“请坐在这里”，又对那穷人说：“你站在那里”，或“坐在我脚凳旁”；And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4这岂不是你们偏心待人，用恶意评断人吗？Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5我亲爱的弟兄们，请听，神岂不是拣选了世上的贫穷人，使他们在信心上富足，并承受他所应许给那些爱他之人的国吗？Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6你们却羞辱贫穷的人。欺压你们，拉你们到公堂去的，不就是这些富有的人吗？But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7毁谤为你们求告时所奉的尊名的，不就是他们吗？Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8经上记着：“要爱邻 ☛“邻”也可译作“人”。如己”，你们若切实守这至尊的律法，你们就做得很好。If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9但你们若按外貌待人就是犯罪，是被律法定为犯法的。But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10因为凡遵守全部律法的，只违背了一条就是违犯了所有的律法。For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11原来那说“不可奸淫”的，也说“不可杀人”。你就是不奸淫，却杀人，也是成为违犯律法的。For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12既然你们要按使人自由的律法受审判，就要照这律法说话行事。So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13因为对那不怜悯人的，他们要受没有怜悯的审判；怜悯胜过审判。信心和行为
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14我的弟兄们，若有人说自己有信心，却没有行为，有什么益处呢？这信心能救他吗？What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15若是弟兄或是姊妹没有衣服穿，又缺少日用的饮食；If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16你们中间有人对他们说：“平平安安地去吧！愿你们穿得暖，吃得饱”，却不给他们身体所需要的，这有什么益处呢？And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17信心也是这样，若没有行为是死的。Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18但是有人会说：“你有信心，我有行为。”把你没有行为的信心给我看，我就藉着我的行为把我的信心给你看。Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19你信神只有一位，你信得很好；连鬼魔也信，且怕得发抖。Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20你这虚浮的人哪，你愿意知道没有行为的信心是没有用的吗？But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21我们的祖宗亚伯拉罕把他儿子以撒献在坛上，岂不是因行为得称义吗？Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22可见信心是与他的行为相辅并行，而且信心是因着行为才得以成全的。Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23这正应验了经上所说：“亚伯拉罕信了神，这就算他为义”；他又得称为神的朋友。And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24这样看来，人称义是因着行为，不是单因着信。Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25同样，妓女喇合接待使者，又放他们从另一条路出去，不也是因行为称义吗？Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26所以，就如身体没有灵魂是死的，信心没有行为也是死的。For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
制伏舌头
我的弟兄们，不要许多人做教师，因为你们知道，我们做教师的要接受更严厉的审判。
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2原来我们在许多事上都有过失；若有人在言语上没有过失，他就是完全的人，也能勒住自己的全身。For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3我们若把嚼环放在马嘴里使它们驯服，就能控制它们的全身。Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4再看船只，虽然甚大，又被强风猛吹，只用小小的舵就随着掌舵的意思转动。Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5同样，舌头是小肢体，却能说大话。看哪，最小的火能点燃最大的树林。
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6舌头就是火。在我们百体中，舌头是个不义的世界，能玷污全身，也能烧毁生命的轮子，而且是被地狱的火点燃的。And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7各类的走兽、飞禽、爬虫、水族，本来都可以制伏，也已经被人制伏了；For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8惟独舌头没有人能制伏，是永不静止的邪恶，充满了害死人的毒气。But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9我们用舌头颂赞我们的主—我们的天父，又用舌头诅咒照着神形像被造的人。Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10颂赞和诅咒从同一个口出来。我的弟兄们，这是不应该的。Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11泉源能从一个出口发出甜苦两样的水吗？Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12我的弟兄们，无花果树能生橄榄吗？葡萄树能结无花果吗？咸水也不能流出甜水来。从上头来的智慧
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13你们中间谁是有智慧有见识的呢？他就当在智慧的温柔上显出他的善行来。Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14你们心里若怀着恶毒的嫉妒和自私，就不可自夸，不可说谎话抵挡真理。But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15这样的智慧不是从上头下来的，而是属地上的，属情欲的，属鬼魔的。This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16在何处有嫉妒、自私，在何处就有动乱和各样的坏事。For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17惟独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平、温良、柔顺，满有怜悯和美善的果子，没有偏私，没有虚伪。But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18正义的果实是为促进和平的人用和平栽种出来的。And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
不可与世俗为友
你们中间的冲突是哪里来的？争执是哪里来的？不是从你们肢体中交战着的私欲来的吗？
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2你们贪恋，得不着就杀人；你们嫉妒，不能得手就起争执和冲突；你们得不着，是因为你们不求。Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3你们求也得不着，是因为你们妄求，为了要浪费在你们的宴乐中。Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
4你们这些淫乱的人哪，岂不知道与世俗为友就是与神为敌吗？所以，凡想要与世俗为友的，就是与神为敌了。Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5经上说：“神爱安置在我们里面的灵，爱到嫉妒的地步。”☛“神爱…的地步。”或译“神会嫉妒地爱恋他安置在我们里面的灵。”你们以为这话是徒然的吗？Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6但是他赐更多的恩典，正如经上说： “神抵挡骄傲的人， 但赐恩给谦卑的人。”But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7所以，要顺服神。要抵挡魔鬼，魔鬼就必逃避你们；Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8要亲近神，神就必亲近你们。有罪的人哪，要洁净你们的手！心怀二意的人哪，要清洁你们的心！Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9你们要愁苦，悲哀，哭泣；要将欢笑变为悲哀，欢乐变为愁闷。Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10要在主面前谦卑，他就使你们高升。不可评断弟兄
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11弟兄们，不可彼此诋毁。诋毁弟兄或评断弟兄的人，就是诋毁律法，评断律法；你若评断律法，就不是遵行律法，而是评断者了。Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
12立法者和审判者只有一位；他就是那能拯救人也能毁灭人的。你是谁，竟敢评断你的邻舍！警戒自夸
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
13注意！有人说：“今天或明天我们要往某城去，在那里住一年，做买卖赚钱。”Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14其实明天如何，你们还不知道。你们的生命是什么呢？你们☛有古卷是“它”。原来是一片云雾，出现片刻就不见了。Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15你们倒应当说：“主若愿意，我们就能活着，也可以做这事或那事。”For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16现今你们竟然狂傲自夸；凡这样的自夸都是邪恶的。But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
17所以，人若知道该行善而不去行，这就是他的罪了。Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
警告富足的人
注意！你们这些富足人哪，要为将要临到你们身上的灾难哭泣、号啕。
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2你们的财物腐烂了，你们的衣服被虫子蛀了。Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3你们的金银都生锈了；这锈要证明你们的不是，又要像火一样吞吃你们的肉。你们在这末世只知道积蓄钱财。Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4工人给你们收割庄稼，你们克扣他们的工钱；这工钱在喊冤，而且收割工人的冤声已经进入万军之主的耳朵了。Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5你们在地上享奢华宴乐，把自己养肥了，等候宰杀的日子。Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6你们定了义人的罪，把他杀害，他没有抵抗你们。忍耐和祷告
Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
7所以弟兄们，你们要忍耐，直到主来。看哪，农夫等候着地里宝贵的出产，耐心地等到它得了秋霖春雨。Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8你们也要忍耐，坚固你们的心，因为主来的日子近了。Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9弟兄们，你们不要彼此埋怨，免得受审判。看哪，审判的主站在门口了。Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10弟兄们，你们要把那先前奉主名说话的众先知作能受苦、能忍耐的榜样。Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11看哪，那些忍耐的人，我们称他们是有福的。你们听见过约伯的忍耐，也看见主给他的结局，知道主是充满怜悯和慈悲的。Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
12我的弟兄们，最要紧的是不可起誓；不可指着天起誓，也不可指着地起誓，任何誓都不可起。你们说话，是，就说是；不是，就说不是，免得你们落在审判之下。But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
13你们中间若有人受苦，他该祷告；有人喜乐，他该歌颂。Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14你们中间若有人病了，他该请教会的长老们来为他祷告，奉主的名为他抹油。Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15出于信心的祈祷必能救那病人，主必叫他起来；他若犯了罪，也必蒙赦免。And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16所以，你们要彼此认罪，互相代求，使你们得医治。义人祈祷所发的力量是大有功效的。Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17以利亚与我们是同样性情的人，他恳切地祈求不要下雨，地上就三年六个月没有下雨。Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18他又祷告，天就降下雨来，地就有了出产。And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19我的弟兄们，你们中间若有人迷失了真理而有人使他回转，Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20这人该知道，使一个罪人从迷途中回转，会从死亡中把他的灵魂救回来，而且遮盖许多的罪。Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.