James 1

The Epistle of James, Chapter 1 – Veritable King James Version (VKJV)

The Epistle of James, Chapter 1

¹James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

²Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Translation Notes

Greek Terms and Choices:

“James” (Iakōbos, masculine) is lowercase per VKJV non-deity convention, identified as the author, likely James the brother of Jesus (cf. Galatians 1:19).

“Servant” (doulos) denotes devoted service, translated literally to reflect humility.

“God” and “Lord Jesus Christ” (theou kai kyriou Iēsou Christou) are capitalized per VKJV deity convention.

“Twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (tais dōdeka phylais tais en tē diaspora) refers to Jewish Christians scattered abroad, retained for historical context. “Greetings” (chairein) is a standard epistolary salutation, rendered simply.

“Brothers” (adelphoi, masculine plural) is gender-neutral in context, addressing believers inclusively (cf. 2:1).

“Count it all joy” (pasan charan hēgēsasthe, aorist imperative) emphasizes deliberate joy, with “all” (pasan) underscoring completeness.

“Trials” (peirasmoi) can mean temptations or tests; VKJV uses “trials” to fit context of external hardships.

“Testing” (dokimion) implies refining, translated as “testing” to convey faith’s purification.

“Steadfastness” (hypomonē) suggests endurance, replacing archaic “patience” (KJV).

“Perfect and complete” (teleioi kai holoklēroi) indicates maturity and wholeness, rendered clearly in modern English.

Pronouns:

“God,” “Lord,” “Jesus Christ” capitalized per VKJV deity convention (theos, kyrios, Iēsous Christos).

“You” (hymeis, plural) is gender-neutral, addressing the community.

“My brothers” (adelphoi mou) is gender-neutral in context, referring to believers.

⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him. ⁶But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

⁷For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Translation Notes

Greek Terms and Choices:

“Wisdom” (sophia) denotes practical insight, retained for clarity.

“Let him ask” (aiteitō, present imperative) emphasizes ongoing action, translated directly.

“God, who gives generously” (tou didontos theou) highlights divine generosity, with “generously” (haplōs) implying simplicity or liberality.

“Without finding fault” (mē oneidizontos) suggests nonjudgmental giving, rendered clearly.

“Doubting” (diakrinomenos, present participle) implies wavering, translated as “doubting” to convey uncertainty.

“Wave of the sea” (kludōni thalassēs) is metaphorical, retained for vivid imagery.

“Driven and tossed” (ripizomenō kai anemizomenō) conveys instability, translated literally.

“Double-minded” (dipsychos) literally “double-souled,” a unique term in James, rendered as “double-minded” for modern readability.

“Unstable” (akatastatos) suggests inconsistency, replacing archaic “unconstant” (KJV).

Pronouns:

“God,” “Lord” capitalized (theos, kyrios).

“Any of you,” “him,” “he,” “his” (tis, auton, masculine singular) are gender-neutral in context, referring to any believer, though Greek uses masculine forms.

“The one who doubts,” “that person” (ho diakrinomenos, ekeinos, masculine) are gender-neutral in translation per VKJV inclusivity.

⁹Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.

¹¹For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in his pursuits.

Translation Notes

Greek Terms and Choices:

“Lowly” (tapeinos) indicates socioeconomic humility, translated as “lowly” to avoid archaic “base” (KJV).

“Brother” (adelphos) is gender-neutral in context, referring to believers.

“Boast” (kauchasthō, present imperative) implies taking pride, rendered as “boast” for directness.

“Exaltation” (hypsos) and “humiliation” (tapeinōsis) contrast spiritual states, translated clearly.

“Flower of the grass” (anthos chortou) is poetic, retained for imagery (cf. Isaiah 40:6-8).

“Scorching heat” (kausōni) specifies intense heat, rendered vividly.

“Wither,” “falls,” “perishes” (exēranen, exepesen, apōleto, aorists) emphasize transience, translated in modern English.

“Rich man” (plousios, masculine) is specific but contextually human, retained as “rich man” per Greek.

Pronouns:

“His” (autou, masculine) for “brother” and “rich man” is lowercase, gender-specific per Greek, but contextually inclusive of believers.

“He” (autos) in “he will pass away” is gender-neutral in translation, referring to the rich person.

¹²Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

¹³Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one. ¹⁴But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Translation Notes

Greek Terms and Choices:

“Blessed” (makarios) denotes divine favor, replacing archaic “happy” (KJV).

“Man” (anēr, masculine) is contextually inclusive, translated as “man” but understood as any person enduring trial.

“Steadfast” (hypomenei, present) and “stood the test” (dokimos genomenos, aorist participle) emphasize endurance and approval, rendered clearly.

“Crown of life” (stephanon tēs zōēs) is a reward metaphor, retained for theological weight.

“Tempted” (peirazomenos, peirastheis) can mean tested or tempted; VKJV uses “tempted” in verses 13–14 for moral enticement context.

“Cannot be tempted” (apeirastos) and “tempts no one” (oudeis peirazei) affirm God’s nature, translated literally.

“Lured and enticed” (exelkomenos kai deleazomenos) are fishing/hunting metaphors, rendered vividly.

“Desire” (epithymia) is internal craving, translated directly.

“Conceived,” “gives birth,” “brings forth” (syllabousa, tiktei, apokuei, present/aorist) use birthing imagery, retained for emphasis.

Pronouns:

“God,” “He,” “Him,” “Himself” capitalized (theos, autos).

“Man,” “he,” “his” (anēr, autos, masculine) are lowercase, gender-specific per Greek, but contextually inclusive.

“Each person,” “no one” (hekastos, mēdeis) are gender-neutral, referring to any believer.

“Those” (tois agapōsin, plural participle) is gender-neutral for lovers of God.

¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ¹⁸Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Translation Notes

Greek Terms and Choices:

“Do not be deceived” (mē planasthe, present imperative) is a strong warning, rendered directly.

“Beloved brothers” (adelphoi agapētoi) is gender-neutral in context, addressing believers.

“Good gift” and “perfect gift” (dosis agathē, dōrēma teleion) emphasize divine generosity, translated distinctly.

“Father of lights” (patros tōn phōtōn) is a cosmic metaphor, retained for imagery.

“No variation or shadow due to change” (ouk eni parallagē ē tropēs aposkiasma) denies mutability, rendered clearly in modern English.

“Brought us forth” (apekyēsen, aorist) uses birthing imagery, paralleling verse 15.

“Word of truth” (logō alētheias) refers to the gospel, translated literally.

“Firstfruits” (aparchēn) is an agricultural metaphor, retained for theological significance.

Pronouns:

“Father,” “He,” “His” capitalized (patēr, autos).

“My beloved brothers,” “us,” “we” (adelphoi, hēmas, plural) are gender-neutral, referring to believers.

¹⁹Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

²²But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he was like.

<-sup>25But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Translation Notes

Greek Terms and Choices:

“Know this” (iste, imperative) emphasizes awareness, rendered as a command.

“Beloved brothers” (adelphoi agapētoi) is gender-neutral, addressing believers.

“Quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (tachys eis to akousai, bradys eis to lalēsai, bradys eis orgēn) uses rhythmic adjectives, translated literally for impact.

“Anger of man” (orgē anthrōpou) is human anger, with “man” (anthrōpou) contextually inclusive.

“Righteousness of God” (dikaiosynēn theou) is divine righteousness, capitalized per VKJV.

“Filthiness” (rhyparian) and “wickedness” (kakias) denote moral impurity, translated vividly.

“Implanted word” (emphytos logos) suggests internalized gospel, rendered clearly.

“Doers” (poiētai) and “hearers” (akroatai) contrast action versus passivity, translated directly.

“Mirror” (esoptron) is metaphorical, retained for imagery.

“Perfect law, the law of liberty” (nomon teleion ton tēs eleutherias) refers to the gospel’s freedom, translated with clarity.

“Blessed” (makarios) denotes divine favor, replacing “happy” (KJV).

Pronouns:

“God” capitalized (theos).

“Every person,” “anyone,” “he,” “his” (anthrōpos, tis, autos, masculine) are gender-neutral in context, referring to believers.

“My beloved brothers,” “you,” “your” (adelphoi, hymōn) are gender-neutral.

“The one” (ho parakypsas, masculine participle) is gender-neutral in translation, per VKJV inclusivity.

²⁶If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Translation Notes

Greek Terms and Choices:

“Religious” (thrēskos, adjective) denotes outward piety, translated directly.

“Bridle his tongue” (mē chalinagōgōn glōssan) is metaphorical, implying control, retained for imagery.

“Deceives his heart” (apatōn kardian autou) suggests self-delusion, translated clearly.

“Worthless” (mataios) indicates futility, replacing archaic “vain” (KJV).

“Pure and undefiled” (kathara kai amiantos) emphasizes moral purity, translated distinctly.

“God the Father” (tō theō kai patri) is capitalized per VKJV.

“Visit” (episkeptesthai) implies care, translated to convey action.

“Orphans and widows” (orphanous kai chēras) represents vulnerable groups, retained literally.

“Unstained” (aspilon) suggests moral purity, translated clearly.

“World” (kosmos) denotes worldly corruption, retained for theological weight.

Pronouns:

“God,” “Father” capitalized (theos, patēr).

“Anyone,” “he,” “his,” “this person” (tis, autos, masculine) are gender-neutral in context, referring to any believer.

“Oneself” (heauton) is gender-neutral, aligning with inclusive intent.

James 2

James Chapter 2 – Veritable King James Version (VKJV)

The Epistle of James, Chapter 2

¹ My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. ² For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothing also comes in, ³ and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “Sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”

Notes on the Translation

“Brothers” translates “ἀδελφοί,” gender-neutral for believers, per the NA28. Capitalized “Lord Jesus Christ” and “Lord of glory” follow instructions, rendering “κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τῆς δόξης,” echoing the KJV’s honorific title. “Person” and “poor one” translate “ἀνὴρ” and “πτωχός,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Assembly” renders “συναγωγήν,” echoing the KJV’s “synagogue” but modernized for Christian gatherings. “Partiality” translates “προσωπολημψία,” per the KJV’s theme of impartiality.

⁴ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? ⁵ Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which He has promised to those who love Him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor person. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

Notes on the Translation

“You,” “brothers,” and “poor person” translate “ὑμεῖς,” “ἀδελφοί,” and “πτωχόν,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “God” and “He” follow instructions. “Rich in faith” renders “πλουσίους ἐν πίστει,” echoing the KJV’s spiritual wealth. “Heirs of the kingdom” translates “κληρονόμους τῆς βασιλείας,” per the NA28, aligning with James 1:12 and the KJV. “Drag you into court” modernizes the KJV’s “draw you before the judgment seats.”

⁷ Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? ⁸ If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. ⁹ But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Notes on the Translation

“They” and “you” translate “αὐτοί” and “ὑμεῖς,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Honorable name” renders “τὸ καλὸν ὄνομα,” likely Jesus, per the KJV, though not capitalized as it’s implied. “Royal law” translates “νόμον βασιλικόν,” echoing the KJV’s Leviticus 19:18 quotation (“ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν”). “Partiality” and “transgressors” maintain the KJV’s moral critique, per the NA28.

¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. ¹¹ For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. ¹² So speak and act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.

Notes on the Translation

“Whoever” and “you” translate “ὅστις” and “ὑμεῖς,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “He” (God) follows instructions. “Guilty of all” renders “πάντων ἔνοχος,” echoing the KJV’s legal principle. “Do not commit adultery” and “Do not murder” quote Exodus 20:13–14 (LXX), per the NA28. “Law of liberty” translates “νόμου ἐλευθερίας,” echoing James 1:25 and the KJV’s freedom in Christ.

¹³ For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. ¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers, if someone says they have faith but does not have works? Can that faith save them? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,

Notes on the Translation

“One,” “someone,” “brother,” and “sister” translate “ὁ” and “τις,” gender-neutral except for “ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἀδελφή,” which specifies both genders, per the NA28. “Mercy triumphs” renders “ἐλεος κατακαυχᾶται κρίσεως,” echoing the KJV’s moral priority. “Faith but does not have works” translates “πίστιν μὴ ἔχῃ ἔργα,” per the NA28, introducing the KJV’s faith-works theme. “Poorly clothed” modernizes the KJV’s “naked.”

¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? ¹⁷ So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Notes on the Translation

“One of you” and “them” translate “τις ἐξ ὑμῶν” and “αὐτοῖς,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Go in peace, be warmed and filled” renders “ὑπάγετε ἐν εἰρήνῃ, θερμαίνεσθε καὶ χορτάζεσθε,” echoing the KJV’s empty blessing. “Faith by itself is dead” translates “πίστις…νεκρά ἐστιν,” per the NA28, preserving the KJV’s stark conclusion, central to James’s argument.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Notes on the Translation

“Someone” and “you” translate “τις” and “σύ,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “God” follows instructions. “God is one” renders “εἷς ἐστιν ὁ Θεός,” echoing the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), per the KJV. “Demons believe—and shudder” translates “δαιμόνια πιστεύουσιν καὶ φρίσσουσιν,” preserving the KJV’s rhetorical contrast between intellectual belief and transformative faith, per the NA28.

²⁰ Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;

Notes on the Translation

“You” and “foolish person” translate “ὦ ἄνθρωπε κενέ,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Justified by works” renders “ἐξ ἔργων ἐδικαιώθη,” echoing the KJV’s use of Abraham’s sacrifice (Genesis 22:1–18), per the NA28. “Faith was completed” translates “ἡ πίστις συνήργει τοῖς ἔργοις,” preserving the KJV’s synergy of faith and works, contrasting with Pauline justification (cf. Romans 4:2–5).

²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Notes on the Translation

“You” and “person” translate “ὑμεῖς” and “ἄνθρωπος,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “God” follows instructions. The quotation, “Abraham believed God” (Genesis 15:6), renders “ἐπίστευσεν Ἀβραὰμ τῷ Θεῷ,” per the NA28, echoing the KJV. “Friend of God” translates “φίλος Θεοῦ,” per 2 Chronicles 20:7, Isaiah 41:8. “Justified by works” reiterates verse 21, per the KJV’s emphasis.

²⁵ And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ²⁶ For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Notes on the Translation

“Rahab the prostitute” renders “Ῥαὰβ ἡ πόρνη,” per the NA28, echoing the KJV’s reference to Joshua 2:1–21. “Justified by works” translates “ἐξ ἔργων ἐδικαιώθη,” consistent with Abraham’s example (verse 21). “Messengers” renders “ἀγγέλους,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Body apart from the spirit” translates “σῶμα χωρὶς πνεύματος,” echoing the KJV’s analogy, reinforcing the faith-works theme, per the NA28.

James 3

James Chapter 3 – Veritable King James Version (VKJV)

The Epistle of James, Chapter 3

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what they say, they are a perfect person, able to bridle their whole body.

Notes on the Translation

“Brothers” translates “ἀδελφοί,” gender-neutral for believers, per the NA28. “Teachers” renders “διδάσκαλοι,” gender-neutral, echoing the KJV’s “masters” but modernized for clarity. “Judged with greater strictness” translates “μεῖζον κρίμα,” per the NA28, preserving the KJV’s warning to leaders. “Perfect person” renders “τέλειος ἀνήρ,” gender-neutral for “ἀνήρ” in context, echoing James 1:4. “Bridle their whole body” translates “χαλιναγωγῆσαι,” echoing James 1:26 and the KJV’s metaphor.

³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

Notes on the Translation

“We” and “they” translate “ἡμεῖς” and “αὐτά,” gender-neutral, referring to horses and ships, per the NA28. “Bits” and “rudder” render “χαλινούς” and “πηδαλίου,” echoing the KJV’s illustrative metaphors. “Tongue” translates “γλῶσσα,” continuing the speech theme from verse 2, per James 1:26. “Small fire” renders “ὀλίγον πῦρ,” preserving the KJV’s vivid imagery of destruction, per the NA28.

⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Notes on the Translation

“Humankind” and “human being” translate “ἀνθρωπίνη φύσις” and “ἄνθρωπος,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Tongue is a fire” renders “πῦρ ἡ γλῶσσα,” echoing the KJV’s metaphor. “Set on fire by hell” translates “φλογιζομένη ὑπὸ τῆς γεέννης,” per the NA28, preserving the KJV’s “hell” (Gehenna). “Restless evil” and “deadly poison” maintain the KJV’s intense language, emphasizing the tongue’s danger.

⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?

Notes on the Translation

“We,” “people,” and “brothers” translate “ἡμεῖς,” “ἀνθρώπους,” and “ἀδελφοί,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “Lord and Father” and “God” follow instructions. “Made in the likeness of God” renders “καθ’ ὁμοίωσιν Θεοῦ,” echoing Genesis 1:26–27 and the KJV. “Blessing and cursing” translates “εὐλογία καὶ κατάρα,” preserving the KJV’s moral contradiction. The spring metaphor echoes the KJV’s rhetorical question, per the NA28.

¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. ¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? By their good conduct let them show their works in the meekness of wisdom.

Notes on the Translation

“Brothers” and “them” translate “ἀδελφοί” and “αὐτός,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Fig tree” and “grapevine” metaphors render “συκῆ” and “ἄμπελος,” echoing the KJV’s natural imagery, per Matthew 7:16–20. “Wise and understanding” translates “σοφὸς καὶ ἐπιστήμων,” per the NA28, echoing the KJV. “Meekness of wisdom” renders “πραΰτητι σοφίας,” aligning with James 1:21 and the KJV’s ethical emphasis.

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Notes on the Translation

“You” translates “ὑμεῖς,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Wisdom from above” renders “ἄνωθεν σοφία,” echoing James 1:17 and the KJV’s divine source. “Earthly, unspiritual, demonic” translates “ἐπίγειος, ψυχική, δαιμονιώδης,” per the NA28, preserving the KJV’s escalating critique. “Disorder and every vile practice” renders “ἀκαταστασία καὶ πᾶν φαῦλον πρᾶγμα,” echoing the KJV’s moral consequences.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Notes on the Translation

“Those” translates “τοῖς,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Wisdom from above” repeats verse 15’s “ἄνωθεν σοφία,” echoing the KJV’s divine contrast. “Pure, peaceable, gentle” renders “ἁγνή, εἰρηνική, ἐπιεικής,” per the NA28, preserving the KJV’s virtues. “Harvest of righteousness” translates “καρπὸς δικαιοσύνης,” echoing James 1:20 and the KJV’s agricultural metaphor for peaceable conduct.

James 4

James Chapter 4 – Veritable King James Version (VKJV)

The Epistle of James, Chapter 4

¹ What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? ² You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Notes on the Translation

“You” translates “ὑμῖν,” gender-neutral, addressing believers, per the NA28. “Passions” renders “ἡδοναί,” echoing the KJV’s “lusts” but modernized for clarity. “Quarrels” and “fights” translate “πόλεμοι” and “μάχαι,” preserving the KJV’s conflict imagery, per the NA28. “Ask wrongly” renders “κακῶς αἰτεῖτε,” echoing the KJV’s selfish motive. The passage connects to James 3:16’s disorder, per the NA28.

⁴ You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes themselves an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us”?

Notes on the Translation

“Adulterous people” translates “μοιχαλίδες,” gender-neutral in context (despite feminine form), per the NA28, echoing the KJV’s spiritual infidelity (cf. Hosea 3:1). Capitalized “God” and “He” follow instructions. “Friendship with the world” renders “φιλία τοῦ κόσμου,” per the KJV. The quotation in verse 5 is unclear in source (possibly a general scriptural principle), rendered “τὸ πνεῦμα ὃ κατῴκισεν,” preserving the KJV’s divine jealousy.

⁶ But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Notes on the Translation

“You” and “sinners” translate “ὑμεῖς” and “ἁμαρτωλοί,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “God” and “He” follow instructions. The quotation in verse 6 is from Proverbs 3:34 (LXX), rendered “ὁ Θεὸς ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται,” echoing the KJV. “Double-minded” translates “δίψυχοι,” linking to James 1:8, per the NA28. “Resist the devil” and “draw near” preserve the KJV’s imperatives, per the NA28.

⁹ Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. ¹¹ Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges their brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

Notes on the Translation

“Brothers” and “the one” translate “ἀδελφοί” and “ὁ,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “Lord” and “He” follow instructions. “Be wretched” renders “ταλαιπωρήσατε,” echoing the KJV’s call to repentance. “Speak evil” translates “καταλαλεῖτε,” per the NA28, echoing James 2:12’s law of liberty. “Doer of the law” links to James 1:22–25, preserving the KJV’s emphasis on action.

¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, He who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? ¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—

Notes on the Translation

“You” and “neighbor” translate “ὑμεῖς” and “πλησίον,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “Lawgiver,” “Judge,” and “He” (God) follow instructions. “One Lawgiver and Judge” renders “εἷς νομοθέτης καὶ κριτής,” echoing the KJV’s divine authority. “Come now” translates “ἄγε νῦν,” per the NA28, preserving the KJV’s rhetorical shift to confront presumption, linking to James 2:8’s neighbor love.

¹⁴ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Notes on the Translation

“You” translates “ὑμεῖς,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “Lord” follows instructions. “Mist that vanishes” renders “ἀτμὶς πρὸς ὀλίγον φαινομένη,” echoing the KJV’s fleeting imagery (cf. Psalm 39:5). “If the Lord wills” translates “ἐὰν ὁ Κύριος θελήσῃ,” per the NA28, preserving the KJV’s emphasis on divine sovereignty, contrasting human presumption.

¹⁶ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for them it is sin.

Notes on the Translation

“You” and “whoever” translate “ὑμεῖς” and “ὁ,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Boast in your arrogance” renders “καυχᾶσθε ἐν ταῖς ἀλαζονείαις,” echoing the KJV’s condemnation of pride. “Knows the right thing” translates “εἰδότι καλὸν ποιεῖν,” per the NA28, linking to James 2:20–26’s faith-works theme. “It is sin” preserves the KJV’s moral clarity.

James 5

James Chapter 5 – Veritable King James Version (VKJV)

The Epistle of James, Chapter 5

¹ Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. ² Your riches have rotted, and your garments are moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.

Notes on the Translation

“You” translates “ὑμεῖς,” gender-neutral, addressing the wealthy, per the NA28. “Come now” renders “ἄγε νῦν,” echoing James 4:13 and the KJV’s rhetorical call. “Riches have rotted” and “garments are moth-eaten” translate “πλοῦτος σέσηπεν” and “ἱμάτια σητόβρωτα,” per the NA28, preserving the KJV’s decay imagery (cf. Matthew 6:19–20). “Last days” renders “ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις,” echoing the KJV’s eschatological tone.

⁴ Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. ⁵ You have lived in luxury on the earth and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and murdered the righteous person, who does not resist you.

Notes on the Translation

“Laborers” and “harvesters” translate “ἐργατῶν” and “θεριστῶν,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “Lord of hosts” follows instructions, rendering “Κυρίου Σαβαὼθ,” echoing the KJV’s Old Testament title (cf. Isaiah 5:9). “Kept back by fraud” translates “ἀπεστερημένος,” per the NA28, echoing the KJV’s injustice theme. “Righteous person” renders “τὸν δίκαιον,” gender-neutral, preserving the KJV’s moral critique.

⁷ Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it until it receives the early and late rains. ⁸ You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Notes on the Translation

“Brothers” and “you” translate “ἀδελφοί” and “ὑμεῖς,” gender-neutral for believers, per the NA28. Capitalized “Lord” follows instructions, referring to Jesus. “Coming of the Lord” renders “παρουσίας τοῦ Κυρίου,” echoing the KJV’s eschatological hope (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:15). “Early and late rains” translates “πρόϊμον καὶ ὄψιμον,” per the NA28, preserving the KJV’s agricultural metaphor for patience.

⁹ Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. ¹⁰ As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Notes on the Translation

“Brothers” translates “ἀδελφοί,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “Judge” and “Lord” follow instructions, referring to Jesus and God. “Grumble” renders “στενάζετε,” echoing James 4:11’s speech ethics and the KJV. “Judge is standing at the door” translates “κριτὴς πρὸ τῶν θυρῶν,” per the NA28, echoing the KJV’s imminent judgment (cf. Matthew 24:33). “Prophets” links to James 2:21–25’s examples.

¹¹ Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. ¹² But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Notes on the Translation

“Brothers” and “you” translate “ἀδελφοί” and “ὑμεῖς,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “Lord” follows instructions. “Steadfastness of Job” renders “ὑπομονὴν Ἰώβ,” per the NA28, echoing the KJV’s reference to Job’s endurance (cf. Job 1–2). “Compassionate and merciful” translates “πολύσπλαγχνος καὶ οἰκτίρμων,” echoing Psalm 103:8. “Do not swear” aligns with Matthew 5:34–37, per the KJV.

¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let them pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let them sing praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up. And if they have committed sins, they will be forgiven.

Notes on the Translation

“Anyone” and “them” translate “τις” and “αὐτός,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. Capitalized “Lord” follows instructions. “Elders” renders “πρεσβυτέρους,” gender-neutral for church leaders, per the NA28. “Anointing with oil” translates “ἀλείψαντες ἐλαίῳ,” echoing the KJV’s ritual (cf. Mark 6:13). “Prayer of faith” and “save the sick” render “εὐχὴ τῆς πίστεως” and “σώσει τὸν κάμνοντα,” preserving the KJV’s healing emphasis.

¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. ¹⁷ Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ¹⁸ Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Notes on the Translation

“You” and “one another” translate “ὑμεῖς” and “ἀλλήλοις,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Righteous person” renders “δικαίου,” gender-neutral, echoing verse 6. “Great power as it is working” translates “πολὺ ἰσχύει…ἐνεργουμένη,” per the NA28, modernizing the KJV’s “effectual fervent prayer.” “Elijah” references 1 Kings 17–18, with “three years and six months” aligning with Luke 4:25, per the KJV.

¹⁹ My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings them back, ²⁰ let them know that whoever brings back a sinner from their wandering will save their soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Notes on the Translation

“Brothers,” “anyone,” and “someone” translate “ἀδελφοί,” “τις,” and “ὁ,” gender-neutral, per the NA28. “Wanders from the truth” renders “πλανηθῇ ἀπὸ τῆς ἀληθείας,” echoing the KJV’s concern for apostasy. “Cover a multitude of sins” translates “καλύψει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν,” per the NA28, echoing 1 Peter 4:8 and Proverbs 10:12, preserving the KJV’s redemptive close.