James 1:1-12 (Vespers, 1st reading)
- 1
- James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
- 2
- My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
- 3
- knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
- 4
- But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
- 5
- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
- 6
- But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
- 7
- For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
- 8
- he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
- 9
- Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,
- 10
- but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
- 11
- For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
- 12
- Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.