James
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THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF
ST. JAMES
This Epistle is called must be slow to anger and
Catholic or Universal, as not hearers only, but
formerly were also the doers of the word. Of
two Epistles of St. Pe- bridling the tongue and
ter, the first of St. of pure religion.
John and that of St. 1:1. James, the servant
Jude, because they were of God and of our Lord
not written to any pec u- Jesus Christ, to the
liar people or particular twelve tribes which are
person, but to the faith- scattered abroad, gree t-
ful in general. It was ing.
written by the apostle
St. James, called the 1:2. My brethren, count
Less, who was also called it all joy, when you
the brother of our Lord, shall fall into divers
being his kinsman (for temptations:
cousins german with the
Hebrews were called Into divers tempta-
brothers). He was the tions... The word tempt a-
first Bishop of Jerusa- tion, in this epistle, is
lem. In this Epistle are sometimes taken for tri-
set forth many precepts als by afflictions or
appertaining to faith and persecutions, as in this
morals; particularly, place: at other times, it
that faith without good is to be understood,
works will not save a man tempting, enticing, or
and that true wisdom is drawing others into sin.
given only from above. In
the fifth chapter he pub- 1:3. Knowing that the
lishes the sacrament of trying of your faith wor-
anointing the sick. It keth patience
was written a short time
before his martyrdom, 1:4. And patience hath a
about twenty-eight years perfect work: that you
after our Lord’s Ascen- may be perfect and e n-
sion. tire, failing in nothing.
James Chapter 1 1:5. But if any of you
want wisdom, let him ask
The benefit of tribula- of God who giveth to all
tions. Prayer with faith. men abundantly and u p-
God is the author of all braideth not. And it
good, but not of evil. We shall be given him.
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JAMES
God is not a tempter of
1:6. But let him ask in evils: and he tempteth no
faith, nothing wavering. man.
For he that wavereth is
like a wave of the sea, 1:14. But every man is
which is moved and car- tempted by his own concu-
ried about by the wind. piscence, being drawn
away and allured.
1:7. Therefore let not
that man think that he 1:15. Then, when concu-
shall receive any thing piscence hath conceived,
of the Lord. it bringeth forth sin.
But sin, when it is co m-
1:8. A double minded man pleted, begetteth death.
is inconstant in all his
ways. 1:16. Do not err, there-
fore, my dearest breth-
1:9. But let the brother ren.
of low condition glory in
his exaltation: 1:17. Every best gift and
every perfect gift is
1:10. And the rich, in from above, coming down
his being low: because as from the Father of
the flower of the grass lights, with whom there
shall he pass away. is no change nor shadow
of alteration.
1:11. For the sun rose
with a burning heat and 1:18. For of his own will
parched the grass: and hath he begotten us by
the flower thereof fell the word of truth, that
off, and the beauty of we might be some begin-
the shape thereof pe- ning of his creature.
rished. So also shall the
rich man fade away in his Some beginning... That
ways. is, a kind of first
fruits of his creatures.
1:12. Blessed is the man
that endureth temptation: 1:19. You know, my dea r-
for, when he hath been est brethren. And let
proved, he shall receive every man be swift to
the crown of life which hear, but slow to speak
God hath promised to them and slow to anger.
that love him.
1:20. For the anger of
1:13. Let no man, when he man worketh not the ju s-
is tempted, say that he tice of God.
is tempted by God. For
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1:21. Wherefore, casting world.
away all uncleanness and
abundance of naughtiness, James Chapter 2
with meekness receive the
ingrafted word, which is Against respect of pe r-
able to save your souls. sons. The danger of
transgressing one point
1:22. But be ye doers of of the law. Faith is dead
the word and not hearers without works.
only, deceiving your own 2:1. My brethren, have
selves. not the faith of our Lord
Jesus Christ of glory,
1:23. For if a man be a with respect of persons.
hearer of the word and
not a doer, he shall be With respect of per-
compared to a man behold- sons... The meaning is,
ing his own countenance that in matters relating
in a glass. to faith, the administer-
ing of the sacraments,
1:24. For he beheld him- and other spiritual fun c-
self and went his way and tions in God’s church,
presently forgot what there should be no r e-
manner of man he was. spect of persons; but
that the souls of the
1:25. But he that hath poor should be as much
looked into the perfect regarded as those of the
law of liberty and hath rich. See Deut. 1.17.
continued therein, not
becoming a forgetful 2:2. For if there shall
hearer but a doer of the come into your assembly a
work: this man shall be man having a golden ring,
blessed in his deed. in fine apparel; and
there shall come in also
1:26. And if any man a poor man in mean a t-
think himself to be reli- tire:
gious, not bridling his
tongue but deceiving his 2:3. And you have respect
own heart, this man’s re- to him that is clothed
ligion is vain. with the fine apparel and
shall say to him: Sit
1:27. Religion clean and thou here well: but say
undefiled before God and to the poor man: Stand
the Father is this: to thou there, or: Sit under
visit the fatherless and my footstool:
widows in their tribula-
tion and to keep one’s 2:4. Do you not judge
self unspotted from this within yourselves, and
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are become judges of u n- through the great and
just thoughts? general commandment of
charity, even by one mor-
2:5. Hearken, my dearest tal sin. For all the pre-
brethren: Hath not God cepts of the law are to
chosen the poor in this be considered as one to-
world, rich in faith and tal and entire law, and
heirs of the kingdom as it were a chain of
which God hath promised precepts, where, by
to them that love him? breaking one link of this
chain, the whole chain is
2:6. But you have disho- broken, or the integrity
noured the poor man. Do of the law consisting of
not the rich oppress you a collection of precepts.
by might? And do not they A sinner, therefore, by a
draw you before the judg- grievous offence against
ment seats? any one precept, incurs
eternal punishment; yet
2:7. Do not they blas- the punishment in hell
pheme the good name that shall be greater for
is invoked upon you? those who have been
greater sinners, as a
2:8. If then you fulfil greater reward shall be
the royal law, according for those in heaven who
to the scriptures: Thou have lived with greater
shalt love thy neighbour sanctity and perfection.
as thyself; you do well.
2:11. For he that said:
2:9. But if you have r e- Thou shalt not commit
spect to persons, you adultery, said also: Thou
commit sin, being r e- shalt not kill. Now if
proved by the law as thou do not commit adul-
transgressors. tery, but shalt kill,
thou art become a tran s-
2:10. And whosoever shall gressor of the law.
keep the whole law, but
offend in one point, is 2:12. So speak ye and so
become guilty of all. do, as being to be judged
by the law of liberty.
Guilty of all;.. That is,
he becomes a transgressor 2:13. For judgment with-
of the law in such a ma n- out mercy to him that
ner, that the observing hath not done mercy. And
of all other points will mercy exalteth itself
not avail him to salva- above judgment.
tion; for he despises the
lawgiver, and breaks 2:14. What shall it prof-
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it, my brethren, if a man
say he hath faith, but 2:23. And the scripture
hath not works? Shall was fulfilled, saying:
faith be able to save Abraham believed God, and
him? it was reputed to him to
justice, and he was
2:15. And if a brother or called the friend of God.
sister be naked and want
daily food: 2:24. Do you see that by
works a man is justified,
2:16. And one of you say and not by faith only?
to them: Go in peace, be
ye warmed and filled; yet 2:25. And in like manner
give them not those also Rahab the harlot,
things that are necessary was not she justified by
for the body, what shall works, receiving the me s-
it profit? sengers and sending them
out another way?
2:17. So faith also, if
it have not works, is 2:26. For even as the
dead in itself. body without the spirit
is dead: so also faith
2:18. But some man will without works is dead.
say: Thou hast faith, and
I have works. Shew me thy James Chapter 3
faith without works; and
I will shew thee, by Of the evils of the ton-
works, my faith. gue. Of the difference
between the earthly and
2:19. Thou believest that heavenly wisdom.
there is one God. Thou 3:1. Be ye not many ma s-
dost well: the devils al- ters, my brethren, know-
so believe and tremble. ing that you receive the
greater judgment.
2:20. But wilt thou know,
O vain man, that faith 3:2. For in many things
without works is dead? we all offend. If any man
offend not in word, the
2:21. Was not Abraham our same is a perfect man. He
father justified by is able also with a
works, offering up Isaac bridle to lead about the
his son upon the altar? whole body.
2:22. Seest thou that 3:3. For if we put bits
faith did cooperate with into the mouths of
his works and by works horses, that they may
faith was made perfect? obey us: and we turn
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about their whole body. and cursing. My brethren,
these things ought not so
3:4. Behold also ships, to be.
whereas they are great
and are driven by strong 3:11. Doth a fountain
winds, yet are they send forth, out of the
turned about with a small same hole, sweet and bit-
helm, whithersoever the ter water?
force of the governor
willeth. 3:12. Can the fig tree,
my brethren, bear grapes?
3:5. Even so the tongue Or the vine, figs? So
is indeed a little member neither can the salt w a-
and boasteth great ter yield sweet.
things. Behold how small
a fire kindleth a great 3:13. Who is a wise man
wood. and endued with know-
ledge, among you? Let him
3:6. And the tongue is a shew, by a good contesta-
fire, a world of iniqui- tion, his work in the
ty. The tongue is placed meekness of wisdom.
among our members, which
defileth the whole body 3:14. But if you have
and inflameth the wheel bitter zeal, and there be
of our nativity, being contention in your
set on fire by hell. hearts: glory not and be
not liars against the
3:7. For every nature of truth.
beasts and of birds and
of serpents and of the 3:15. For this is not
rest is tamed and hath wisdom, descending from
been tamed, by the nature above: but earthly, sen-
of man. sual, devilish.
3:8. But the tongue no 3:16. For where envying
man can tame, an unquiet and contention is: there
evil, full of deadly poi- is inconstancy and every
son. evil work.
3:9. By it we bless God 3:17. But the wisdom that
and the Father: and by it is from above, first i n-
we curse men who are made deed is chaste, then
after the likeness of peaceable, modest, easy
God. to be persuaded, consent-
ing to the good, full of
3:10. Out of the same mercy and good fruits,
mouth proceedeth blessing without judging, without
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dissimulation.
4:6. But he giveth great-
3:18. And the fruit of er grace. Wherefor e he
justice is sown in peace, saith: God resisteth the
to them that make peace. proud and giveth grace to
the humble.
James Chapter 4
4:7. Be subject therefore
The evils that flow from to God. But resist the
yielding to concupiscence devil: and he will fly
and being friends to this from you.
world. Admonitions
against pride, detraction 4:8. Draw nigh to God:
and the like. and he will draw nigh to
4:1. From whence are wars you. Cleanse your hands,
and contentions among ye sinners, and purify
you? Are they not hence, your hearts, ye double
from your concupiscences, minded.
which war in your mem-
bers? 4:9. Be afflicted and
mourn and weep: let your
4:2. You covet, and have laughter be turned into
not: you kill and envy mourning and your joy in-
and cannot obtain. You to sorrow.
contend and war, and you
have not: because you ask 4:10. Be humbled in the
not. sight of the Lord: and he
will exalt you.
4:3. You ask and receive
not: because you ask 4:11. Detract not one
amiss, that you may co n- another, my brethren. He
sume it on your concupis- that detracteth his
cences. brother, or he that ju d-
geth his brother, detra c-
4:4. Adulterers, know you teth the law and judgeth
not that the friendship the law. But if thou
of this world is the ene- judge the law, thou art
my of God? Whosoever not a doer of the law,
therefore will be a but a judge.
friend of this world b e-
cometh an enemy of God. 4:12. There is one law-
giver and judge, that is
4:5. Or do you think that able to destroy and to
the scripture saith in deliver.
vain: To envy doth the
spirit covet which dwel- 4:13. But who art thou
leth in you? that judgest thy neigh-
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bour? Behold, now you are motheaten.
that say: To-day or to-
morrow we will go into 5:3. Your gold and silver
such a city, and there we is cankered: and the rust
will spend a year and of them shall be for a
will traffic and make our testimony against you and
gain. shall eat your flesh like
fire. You have stored up
4:14. Whereas you know to yourselves wrath
not what shall be on the against the last days.
morrow.
5:4. Behold the hire of
4:15. For what is your the labourers who have
life? It is a vapour reaped down your fields,
which appeareth for a which by fraud has been
little while and after- kept back by you, crieth:
wards shall vanish away. and the cry of them hath
For that you should say: entered into the ears of
If the Lord will, and, If the Lord of Sabaoth.
we shall live, we will do
this or that. 5:5. You have feasted
upon earth: and in rio t-
4:16. But now you rejoice ousness you have no u-
in your arrogancies. All rished your hearts, in
such rejoicing is wicked. the day of slaughter.
4:17. To him therefore 5:6. You have condemned
who knoweth to do good and put to death the Just
and doth it not, to him One: and he resisted you
it is sin. not.
James Chapter 5 5:7. Be patient ther e-
fore, brethren, until the
A woe to the rich that coming of the Lord. Be-
oppress the poor. Exhor- hold, the husbandman wa i-
tations to patience and teth for the precious
to avoid swearing. Of the fruit of the earth: pa-
anointing the sick, co n- tiently bearing till he
fession of sins and fe r- receive the early and
vour in prayer. latter rain.
5:1. Go to now, ye rich
men: weep and howl in 5:8. Be you therefore al-
your miseries, which so patient and strengthen
shall come upon you. your hearts: for the com-
ing of the Lord is at
5:2. Your riches are cor- hand.
rupted: and your garments
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5:9. Grudge not, breth- of scripture for the s a-
ren, one against another, crament of extreme unc-
that you may not be tion, that any controve r-
judged. Behold the judge sy against its institu-
standeth before the door. tion would be against the
express words of the s a-
5:10. Take, my brethren, cred text in the plainest
for example of suffering terms.
evil, of labour and pa-
tience, the prophets who 5:15. And the prayer of
spoke in the name of the faith shall save the sick
Lord. man. And the Lord shall
raise him up: and if he
5:11. Behold, we account be in sins, they shall be
them blessed who have en- forgiven him.
dured. You have heard of
the patience of Job and 5:16. Confess therefore
you have seen the end of your sins one to anoth er:
the Lord, that the Lord and pray one for another,
is merciful and compas- that you may be saved.
sionate. For the continual prayer
of a just man availeth
5:12. But above all much.
things, my brethren,
swear not, neither by Confess your sins one to
heaven, nor by the earth, another... That is, to
nor by any other oath. the priests of the
But let your speech be: church, whom (ver.14) he
Yea, Yea: No, No: that had ordered to be called
you fall not under judg- for, and brought in to
ment. the sick; moreover, to
confess to persons who
5:13. Is any of you sad? had no power to forgive
Let him pray: Is he sins, would be useless.
cheerful in mind? Let him Hence the precept here
sing. means, that we must co n-
fess to men whom God hath
5:14. Is any man sick appointed, and who, by
among you? Let him bring their ordination and ju-
in the priests of the risdiction, have received
church and let them pray the power of remitting
over him, anointing him sins in his name.
with oil in the name of
the Lord. 5:17. Elias was a man
passible like unto us:
Let him bring in, etc... and with prayer he prayed
See here a plain warrant that it might not rain
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upon the earth. And it
rained not for three
years and six months.
5:18. And he prayed
again. And the heaven
gave rain: and the earth
brought forth her fruit.
5:19. My brethren, if any
of you err from the truth
and one convert him:
5:20. He must know that
he who causeth a sinner
to be converted from the
error of his way shall
save his soul from death
and shall cover a mult i-
tude of sins.
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