Yakobus 1:13-18

1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, ¹  and he himself tempts no one. 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 1:15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. 1:16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. ²  1:17 All generous giving and every perfect gift ³  is from above, coming down ⁴  from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. ⁵  1:18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth ⁶  through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

[1:13]  ¹ tn Or “God must not be tested by evil people.”

[1:16]  ² tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

[1:17]  ³ tn The first phrase refers to the action of giving and the second to what is given.

[1:17]  ⁴ tn Or “All generous giving and every perfect gift from above is coming down.”

[1:17]  ⁵ tn Grk “variation or shadow of turning” (referring to the motions of heavenly bodies causing variations of light and darkness).

[1:18]  ⁶ tn Grk “Having willed, he gave us birth.”