James 4

James attributes quarrels and fights among believers to internal passions and lusts, urging them to ask God rightly rather than with selfish motives, to submit to God, resist the devil, draw near to Him, and humble themselves, as God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble[1][2][3]. He warns against worldliness likened to spiritual adultery, boasts of arrogant plans ignoring life's brevity like a vapor, and stresses saying 'If the Lord wills' while noting that knowing good and not doing it is sin[1][3].

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Word-by-Word

Translation column shows two renderings:
  • SIBI-P1 (root-faithful)
  • SIBI-P2 (context-aware)
Verse 1
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 πόθεν pothen
from where
from where
 ADV G4159
2 πόλεμοι polemoi
wars
wars
 N NOM M PL G4171
3 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
4 πόθεν pothen-2
from where
from where
 ADV G4159
5 μάχαι machai
conflicts
conflicts
 N NOM F PL G3163
6 ἐν en
in
among
 PREP DAT G1722
7 ὑμῖν umin
to you all
to you all
 PRO.P 2P DAT PL G4771
8 οὐκ ouk
not
not
 T G3756
9 ἐντεῦθεν enteuthen
from here
from here
 ADV G1782
10 ἐκ ek
out of
out of
 PREP GEN G1537
11 τῶν ton
the
the
 ART GEN F PL G3588
12 ἡδονῶν edonon
of sensual pleasures
of pleasures
 N GEN F PL G2237
13 ὑμῶν umon
of you (plural)
of you (plural)
 PRO.P 2P GEN PL G4771
14 τῶν ton-2
the
the
 PRO.D GEN F PL G3588
15 στρατευομένων strateuomenon
of those engaging in warfare
those who wage war
 V PRS MID PTCP GEN F PL G4754
16 ἐν en-2
in
in
 PREP DAT G1722
17 τοῖς tois
to the ones
your
 ART DAT N PL G3588
18 μέλεσιν melesin
to the limbs
members
 N DAT N PL G3196
19 ὑμῶν umon-2
of you (plural)
of you (plural)
 PRO.P 2P GEN PL G4771
Verse 2
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 ἐπιθυμεῖτε epithumeite
You intensely desire
You intensely desire
 V PRS ACT IND 2P PL G1937
2 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
3 οὐκ ouk
not
not
 ADV G3756
4 ἔχετε echete
you have
you have
 V PRS ACT IND 2P PL G2192
5 φονεύετε phoneuete
you are murdering
you are murdering
 V PRS ACT IND 2P PL G5407
6 καὶ kai-2
and
and
 CONJ G2532
7 ζηλοῦτε zeloute
Be zealous
you envy
 V PRS ACT IND 2P PL G2206
8 καὶ kai-3
and
and
 CONJ G2532
9 οὐ ou
not
not
 ADV G3756
10 δύνασθε dunasthe
you are able
you are able
 V PRS MID IND 2P PL G1410
11 ἐπιτυχεῖν epituchein
to attain
to obtain
 V AOR ACT INF G2013
12 μάχεσθε machesthe
you are engaging in conflict
you are engaging in conflict
 V PRS MID IND 2P PL G3164
13 καὶ kai-4
and
and
 CONJ G2532
14 πολεμεῖτε polemeite
you wage war
you wage war
 V PRS ACT IND 2P PL G4170
15 οὐκ ouk-2
not
not
 ADV G3756
16 ἔχετε echete-2
you have
you have
 V PRS ACT IND 2P PL G2192
17 διὰ dia
through
because of
 PREP ACC G1223
18 τὸ to
to the
the
 PRO.D ACC N SG G3588
19 μὴ me
not (contingently)
not (contingently)
 ADV G3361
20 αἰτεῖσθαι aiteisthai
to ask for oneself
to ask for oneself
 V PRS MID INF G154
21 ὑμᾶς umas
you all
you all
 PRO.P 2P ACC PL G4771
Verse 3
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 αἰτεῖτε aiteite
keep asking
keep asking
 V PRS ACT IND 2P PL G154
2 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
3 οὐ ou
not
not
 ADV G3756
4 λαμβάνετε lambanete
you are receiving
you (plural) are taking
 V PRS ACT IND 2P PL G2983
5 διότι dioti
because
because
 CONJ.S G1360
6 κακῶς kakos
badly
badly
 ADV G2560
7 αἰτεῖσθε aiteisthe
you ask for yourselves
you ask for yourselves
 V PRS MID IND 2P PL G154
8 ἵνα ina
in order that
in order that
 CONJ.S G2443
9 ἐν en
in
in
 PREP DAT G1722
10 ταῖς tais
to the
the
 ART DAT F PL G3588
11 ἡδοναῖς edonais
to sensual pleasures
to sensual pleasures
 N DAT F PL G2237
12 ὑμῶν umon
of you (plural)
of you (plural)
 PRO.P 2P GEN PL G4771
13 δαπανήσητε dapanesete
you might spend
you might spend
 V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL G1159
Verse 4
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 μοιχαλίδες moichalides
Adulteresses!
Adulteresses
 N VOC F PL G3428
2 οὐκ ouk
not
not
 T G3756
3 οἴδατε oidate
you have seen and know
you know
 V PRF ACT IND 2P PL G1492
4 ὅτι oti
that
that
 CONJ.S G3754
5 ἡ e
the
the
 ART NOM F SG G3588
6 φιλία philia
friendship
friendship
 N NOM F SG G5373
7 τοῦ tou
of the
of the
 ART GEN M SG G3588
8 κόσμου kosmou
of the ordered world
of the ordered world
 N GEN M SG G2889
9 ἔχθρα echthra
in hostility
in hostility
 N NOM F SG G2189
10 τοῦ tou-2
of the
of the
 ART GEN M SG G3588
11 Θεοῦ theou
of a god
God
 N GEN M SG G2316
12 ἐστιν estin
is
is
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G1510
13 ὃς os
as
whoever
 PRO.R NOM M SG G3739
14 ἐὰν ean
if
if
 T G1437
15 οὖν oun
therefore
therefore
 CONJ G3767
16 βουληθῇ boulethe
may intend
wishes
 V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG G1014
17 φίλος philos
beloved friend
to be a friend
 ADJ.S NOM M SG G5384
18 εἶναι einai
to be
to be
 V PRS ACT INF G1510
19 τοῦ tou-3
of the
of the
 ART GEN M SG G3588
20 κόσμου kosmou-2
of the ordered world
of the ordered world
 N GEN M SG G2889
21 ἐχθρὸς echthros
hostile adversary
enemy
 ADJ.S NOM M SG G2190
22 τοῦ tou-4
of the
of the
 ART GEN M SG G3588
23 Θεοῦ theou-2
of a god
God
 N GEN M SG G2316
24 καθίσταται kathistatai
is being established
is made
 V PRS PASS IND 3P SG G2525
Verse 5
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 ἢ e
or
or
 CONJ G2228
2 δοκεῖτε dokeite
you think
you think
 V PRS ACT IND 2P PL G1380
3 ὅτι oti
that
that
 CONJ.S G3754
4 κενῶς kenos
to no purpose
to no purpose
 ADV G2761
5 ἡ e-2
the
the
 ART NOM F SG G3588
6 Γραφὴ graphe
authoritative writing
authoritative scripture
 N NOM F SG G1124
7 λέγει legei
he/she says
he says
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G3004
8 πρὸς pros
toward
toward
 PREP ACC G4314
9 φθόνον phthonon
resentful envy
resentful envy
 N ACC M SG G5355
10 ἐπιποθεῖ epipothei
deeply yearns
deeply yearns
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G1971
11 τὸ to
to the
the
 ART NOM N SG G3588
12 Πνεῦμα pneuma
breath-spirit
breath-spirit
 N NOM N SG G4151
13 ὃ o
which
that
 PRO.R NOM N SG G3739
14 κατῴκισεν katokisen
he was settling (them) down to dwell
he caused to dwell
 V AOR ACT IND 3P SG G27335
15 ἐν en
in
in
 PREP DAT G1722
16 ἡμῖν emin
to us
us
 PRO.P 1P DAT PL G1473
Verse 6
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 μείζονα meizona
greater things
greater things
 ADJ.S ACC F SG G3187
2 δὲ de
now
but
 CONJ G1161
3 δίδωσιν didosin
he/she/it gives
he/she/it gives
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G1325
4 χάριν charin
gracious favor
grace
 N ACC F SG G5485
5 διὸ dio
for this reason
for this reason
 CONJ G1352
6 λέγει legei
he/she says
he says
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G3004
7 ὁ o
the
the
 ART NOM M SG G3588
8 Θεὸς theos
Divine Being
God
 N NOM M SG G2316
9 ὑπερηφάνοις uperephanois
to the self-exalting ones
to the self-exalting ones
 ADJ.S DAT M PL G5244
10 ἀντιτάσσεται antitassetai
sets himself against
sets himself against
 V PRS MID IND 3P SG G498
11 ταπεινοῖς tapeinois
to the humble ones
to the humble ones
 ADJ.S DAT M PL G5011
12 δὲ de-2
now
but
 CONJ G1161
13 δίδωσιν didosin-2
he/she/it gives
he/she/it gives
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G1325
14 χάριν charin-2
gracious favor
grace
 N ACC F SG G5485
Verse 7
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 ὑποτάγητε upotagete
Be subordinated
Be subjected
 V AOR PASS IMP 2P PL G5293
2 οὖν oun
therefore
therefore
 CONJ G3767
3 τῷ to
to the
to the
 ART DAT M SG G3588
4 Θεῷ theo
to a deity
God
 N DAT M SG G2316
5 ἀντίστητε antistete
Stand against
Resist (plural)
 V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL G436
6 δὲ de
now
but
 CONJ G1161
7 τῷ to-2
to the
to the
 ART DAT M SG G3588
8 διαβόλῳ diabolo
to the accuser
to the slanderer
 ADJ.S DAT M SG G1228
9 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
10 φεύξεται pheuxetai
he will flee
he will flee
 V FUT MID IND 3P SG G5343
11 ἀφ’ aph
from
from
 PREP GEN G575
12 ὑμῶν umon
of you (plural)
of you (plural)
 PRO.P 2P GEN PL G4771
Verse 8
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 ἐγγίσατε eggisate
Draw near!
Draw near
 V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL G1448
2 τῷ to
to the
to the
 ART DAT M SG G3588
3 Θεῷ theo
to a deity
God
 N DAT M SG G2316
4 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
5 ἐγγιεῖ eggiei
he will draw near
he will draw near
 V FUT ACT IND 3P SG G1448
6 ὑμῖν umin
to you all
to you all
 PRO.P 2P DAT PL G4771
7 καθαρίσατε katharisate
Cleanse!
Cleanse
 V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL G2511
8 χεῖρας cheiras
hands
hands
 N ACC F PL G5495
9 ἁμαρτωλοί amartoloi
erring ones
sinners
 ADJ.S VOC M PL G268
10 καὶ kai-2
and
and
 CONJ G2532
11 ἁγνίσατε agnisate
Purify!
Purify
 V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL G48
12 καρδίας kardias
of heart
of heart
 N ACC F PL G2588
13 δίψυχοι dipsuchoi
O two-minded ones
double-minded ones
 ADJ.S VOC M PL G1374
Verse 9
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 ταλαιπωρήσατε talaiporesate
Become wretched
Become wretched
 V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL G5003
2 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
3 πενθήσατε penthesate
Mourn!
Mourn
 V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL G3996
4 καὶ kai-2
and
and
 CONJ G2532
5 κλαύσατε klausate
Weep aloud!
Weep aloud
 V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL G2799
6 ὁ o
the
the
 ART NOM M SG G3588
7 γέλως gelos
laughter
laughter
 N NOM M SG G1071
8 ὑμῶν umon
of you (plural)
of you (plural)
 PRO.P 2P GEN PL G4771
9 εἰς eis
into
into
 PREP ACC G1519
10 πένθος penthos
deep mourning
mourning
 N ACC N SG G3997
11 μετατραπήτω metatrapeto
let him/her/it be turned-about
let it be turned-about
 V AOR PASS IMP 3P SG G33463
12 καὶ kai-3
and
and
 CONJ G2532
13 ἡ e
the
the
 DET.P NOM F SG G3588
14 χαρὰ chara
joy
joy
 N NOM F SG G5479
15 εἰς eis-2
into
into
 PREP ACC G1519
16 κατήφειαν katepheian
downcast dejection
downcast dejection
 N ACC F SG G2726
Verse 10
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 ταπεινώθητε tapeinothete
Be humbled
Be humbled, all of you
 V AOR PASS IMP 2P PL G5013
2 ἐνώπιον enopion
in the sight of
in the presence of
 PREP GEN G1799
3 Κυρίου kuriou
of the master
of the lord
 N GEN M SG G2962
4 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
5 ὑψώσει upsosei
he will lift up
he will raise up
 V FUT ACT IND 3P SG G5312
6 ὑμᾶς umas
you all
you all
 PRO.P 2P ACC PL G4771
Verse 11
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 μὴ me
not (contingently)
not (contingently)
 ADV G3361
2 καταλαλεῖτε katalaleite
be slandering
be slandering
 V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL G2635
3 ἀλλήλων allelon
of one another
of one another
 PRO GEN M PL G240
4 ἀδελφοί adelphoi
brothers
brothers
 N VOC M PL G80
5 ὁ o
the
the
 PRO.D NOM M SG G3588
6 καταλαλῶν katalalon
the one slandering
the one slandering
 V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG G2635
7 ἀδελφοῦ adelphou
of a brother
of a brother
 N GEN M SG G80
8 ἢ e
or
or
 CONJ G2228
9 κρίνων krinon
the one judging
the one judging
 V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG G2919
10 τὸν ton
the
the
 ART ACC M SG G3588
11 ἀδελφὸν adelphon
a brother
a brother
 N ACC M SG G80
12 αὐτοῦ autou
of him
of him
 PRO.P 3P GEN M SG G846
13 καταλαλεῖ katalalei
slanders
slanders
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G2635
14 νόμου nomou
of the binding norm
of the law
 N GEN M SG G3551
15 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
16 κρίνει krinei
he/she decides
he/she judges
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G2919
17 νόμον nomon
a binding norm
a law
 N ACC M SG G3551
18 εἰ ei
if
if
 CONJ.S G1487
19 δὲ de
now
now
 CONJ G1161
20 νόμον nomon-2
a binding norm
a law
 N ACC M SG G3551
21 κρίνεις krineis
you are judging
you are judging
 V PRS ACT IND 2P SG G2919
22 οὐκ ouk
not
not
 PART G3756
23 εἶ ei-2
you are
you are
 V PRS ACT IND 2P SG G1510
24 ποιητὴς poietes
maker
one who does
 N NOM M SG G4163
25 νόμου nomou-2
of the binding norm
of the law
 N GEN M SG G3551
26 ἀλλὰ alla
but rather
but rather
 CONJ.C G235
27 κριτής krites
judge
judge
 N NOM M SG G2923
Verse 12
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 εἷς eis
into
one
 ADJ.P NOM M SG G1520
2 ἐστιν estin
is
is
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G1510
3 νομοθέτης nomothetes
law-establisher
lawgiver
 N NOM M SG G3550
4 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
5 κριτής krites
judge
judge
 N NOM M SG G2923
6 ὁ o
the
the
 PRO.D NOM M SG G3588
7 δυνάμενος dunamenos
being able
being able
 V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG G1410
8 σῶσαι sosai
to rescue
to save
 V AOR ACT INF G4982
9 καὶ kai-2
and
and
 CONJ G2532
10 ἀπολέσαι apolesai
to cause to perish
to destroy
 V AOR ACT INF G622
11 σὺ su
you (singular)
you
 PRO.P 2P NOM SG G4771
12 δὲ de
now
but
 CONJ G1161
13 τίς tis
who?
who?
 PRO.Q NOM M SG G5101
14 εἶ ei
you are
you are
 V PRS ACT IND 2P SG G1510
15 ὁ o-2
the
the
 PRO.D VOC M SG G3588
16 κρίνων krinon
the one judging
the one judging
 V PRS ACT PTCP VOC M SG G2919
17 τὸν ton
the
the
 DET.P ACC M SG G3588
18 πλησίον plesion
a nearby fellow
a neighbor
 ADJ.S ACC M SG G4139
Verse 13
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 ἄγε age
Lead on
Come now
 V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG G71
2 νῦν nun
now
now
 ADV G3568
3 οἱ oi
the ones
the ones
 PRO.D VOC M PL G3588
4 λέγοντες legontes
saying
saying
 V PRS ACT PTCP VOC M PL G3004
5 σήμερον semeron
today
today
 ADV G4594
6 ἢ e
or
or
 CONJ G2228
7 αὔριον aurion
on the next day
tomorrow
 ADV G839
8 πορευσόμεθα poreusometha
we will go
we will go
 V FUT MID IND 1P PL G4198
9 εἰς eis
into
into
 PREP ACC G1519
10 τήνδε tende
this one here
this one here
 DET ACC F SG G3592
11 τὴν ten
the (feminine singular)
the
 ART ACC F SG G3588
12 πόλιν polin
a city
city
 N ACC F SG G4172
13 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
14 ποιήσομεν poiesomen
we will do
we will do
 V FUT ACT IND 1P PL G4160
15 ἐκεῖ ekei
there
there
 ADV G1563
16 ἐνιαυτὸν eniauton
an annual cycle
a year
 N ACC M SG G1763
17 καὶ kai-2
and
and
 CONJ G2532
18 ἐμπορευσόμεθα emporeusometha
we will trade as merchants
we will trade as merchants
 V FUT MID IND 1P PL G1710
19 καὶ kai-3
and
and
 CONJ G2532
20 κερδήσομεν kerdesomen
we will gain
we will gain
 V FUT ACT IND 1P PL G2770
Verse 14
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 οἵτινες oitines
those who
those whoever
 PRO.R NOM M PL G3748
2 οὐκ ouk
not
not
 ADV G3756
3 ἐπίστασθε epistasthe
you yourselves understand
you yourselves understand
 V PRS MID IND 2P PL G1987
4 τὸ to
to the
the
 PRO.R ACC N SG G3588
5 τῆς tes
of the
of the
 PRO.D GEN F SG G3588
6 αὔριον aurion
on the next day
tomorrow
 ADV G839
7 ποία poia
to what sort of
what sort of
 DET NOM F SG G4169
8 ἡ e
the
the
 ART NOM F SG G3588
9 ζωὴ zoe
life
life
 N NOM F SG G2222
10 ὑμῶν umon
of you (plural)
of you (plural)
 PRO.P 2P GEN PL G4771
11 ἀτμὶς atmis
vapor
vapor
 N NOM F SG G822
12 γάρ gar
for
for
 CONJ G1063
13 ἐστε este
you are
you are
 V PRS ACT IND 2P PL G1510
14 ἡ e-2
the
the
 PRO.D NOM F SG G3588
15 πρὸς pros
toward
for
 PREP ACC G4314
16 ὀλίγον oligon
a little
a little
 PRO.I ACC N SG G3641
17 φαινομένη phainomene
becoming visible
appearing
 V PRS MID PTCP NOM F SG G5316
18 ἔπειτα epeita
then, next
then
 ADV G1899
19 καὶ kai
and
and
 ADV G2532
20 ἀφανιζομένη aphanizomene
being made unseen
vanishing
 V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG G853
Verse 15
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 ἀντὶ anti
in place of
instead of
 PREP GEN G473
2 τοῦ tou
of the
the
 PRO.D GEN N SG G3588
3 λέγειν legein
to speak
to say
 V PRS ACT INF G3004
4 ὑμᾶς umas
you all
you all
 PRO.P 2P ACC PL G4771
5 ἐὰν ean
if
if
 CONJ.S G1437
6 ὁ o
the
the
 ART NOM M SG G3588
7 Κύριος kurios
master
lord
 N NOM M SG G2962
8 θελήσῃ thelese
might intend
wills
 V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG G2309
9 καὶ kai
and
and
 PART G2532
10 ζήσομεν zesomen
we will live
we will live
 V FUT ACT IND 1P PL G2198
11 καὶ kai-2
and
and
 CONJ.C G2532
12 ποιήσομεν poiesomen
we will do
we will do
 V FUT ACT IND 1P PL G4160
13 τοῦτο touto
this
this
 PRO.D ACC N SG G3778
14 ἢ e
or
or
 CONJ G2228
15 ἐκεῖνο ekeino
to that one
that one
 PRO.D ACC N SG G1565
Verse 16
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 νῦν nun
now
now
 ADV G3568
2 δὲ de
now
but
 CONJ G1161
3 καυχᾶσθε kauchasthe
you are boasting
you are boasting
 V PRS MID IND 2P PL G2744
4 ἐν en
in
in
 PREP DAT G1722
5 ταῖς tais
to the
the
 ART DAT F PL G3588
6 ἀλαζονίαις alazoniais
to boastful arrogances
arrogances
 N DAT F PL G212
7 ὑμῶν umon
of you (plural)
of you (plural)
 PRO.P 2P GEN PL G4771
8 πᾶσα pasa
every
all
 QUAN NOM F SG G3956
9 καύχησις kauchesis
boasting
boasting
 N NOM F SG G2746
10 τοιαύτη toiaute
such a one
such a one
 DET NOM F SG G5108
11 πονηρά ponera
harmful evils
evil
 ADJ.P NOM F SG G4190
12 ἐστιν estin
is
is
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G1510
Verse 17
# Greek Translation Morphology Strong's
1 εἰδότι eidoti
to the one who knows
to the one who knows
 V PRF ACT PTCP DAT M SG G1492
2 οὖν oun
therefore
therefore
 CONJ G3767
3 καλὸν kalon
beautiful
good
 ADJ.S ACC N SG G2570
4 ποιεῖν poiein
to make or do
to do
 V PRS ACT INF G4160
5 καὶ kai
and
and
 CONJ G2532
6 μὴ me
not (contingently)
not (contingently)
 ADV G3361
7 ποιοῦντι poiounti
to the one doing
doing
 V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG G4160
8 ἁμαρτία amartia
moral failure
sin
 N NOM F SG G266
9 αὐτῷ auto
to him
to him
 PRO.P 3P DAT M SG G846
10 ἐστιν estin
is
is
 V PRS ACT IND 3P SG G1510
← Chapter 3 Chapter 5 →