James 4 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of James 4 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
ASV Whence [come] wars and whence [come] fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your pleasures that war in your members?
WEB Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members?
YLT Whence <FI>are<Fi> wars and fightings among you? not thence--out of your passions, that are as soldiers in your members?
DRB From whence are wars and contentions among you? Are they not hence, from your concupiscences, which war in your members?
DBY Whence [come] wars and whence fightings among you? [Is it] not thence, from your pleasures, which war in your members?
GNV From whence are warres and contentions among you? are they not hence, euen of your pleasures, that fight in your members?
LSB What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?
Verse 2
KJV Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
ASV Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not.
WEB You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask.
YLT ye desire, and ye have not; ye murder, and are zealous, and are not able to attain; ye fight and war, and ye have not, because of your not asking;
DRB You covet, and have not: you kill and envy and cannot obtain. You contend and war, and you have not: because you ask not.
DBY Ye lust and have not: ye kill and are full of envy, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war; ye have not because ye ask not.
GNV Ye lust, and haue not: ye enuie, and desire immoderately, and cannot obtaine: ye fight and warre, and get nothing, because ye aske not.
LSB You lust and do not have, so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
Verse 3
KJV Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
ASV Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend [it] in your pleasures.
WEB You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
YLT ye ask, and ye receive not, because evilly ye ask, that in your pleasures ye may spend <FI>it<Fi> .
DRB You ask and receive not: because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your concupiscences.
DBY Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask evilly, that ye may consume [it] in your pleasures.
GNV Ye aske, and receiue not, because ye aske amisse, that ye might lay the same out on your pleasures.
LSB You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Verse 4
KJV Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
ASV Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.
WEB You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
YLT Adulterers and adulteresses! have ye not known that friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever, then, may counsel to be a friend of the world, an enemy of God he is set.
DRB Adulterers, know you not that the friendship of this world is the enemy of God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world becometh an enemy of God.
DBY Adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore is minded to be [the] friend of the world is constituted enemy of God.
GNV Ye adulterers and adulteresses, knowe ye not that the amitie of the world is the enimitie of God? Whosoeuer therefore will be a friend of the world, maketh himselfe the enemie of God.
LSB You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world sets himself as an enemy of God.
Verse 5
KJV Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
ASV Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?
WEB Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously”?
YLT Do ye think that emptily the Writing saith, `To envy earnestly desireth the spirit that did dwell in us,'
DRB Or do you think that the scripture saith in vain: To envy doth the spirit covet which dwelleth in you?
DBY Think ye that the scripture speaks in vain? Does the Spirit which has taken his abode in us desire enviously?
GNV Doe ye thinke that the Scripture sayeth in vaine, The spirit that dwelleth in vs, lusteth after enuie?
LSB Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?
Verse 6
KJV But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
ASV But he giveth more grace. Wherefore [the scripture] saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
WEB But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”Proverbs 3:34
YLT and greater grace he doth give, wherefore he saith, `God against proud ones doth set Himself up, and to lowly ones He doth give grace?'
DRB But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.
DBY But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God sets himself against [the] proud, but gives grace to [the] lowly.
GNV But the Scripture offereth more grace, and therefore sayth, God resisteth the proude, and giueth grace to the humble.
LSB But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Verse 7
KJV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
ASV Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
WEB Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
YLT be subject, then, to God; stand up against the devil, and he will flee from you;
DRB Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil: and he will fly from you.
DBY Subject yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
GNV Submit your selues to God: resist the deuill, and he will flee from you.
LSB Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Verse 8
KJV Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
ASV Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.
WEB Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
YLT draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you; cleanse hands, ye sinners! and purify hearts, ye two-souled!
DRB Draw nigh to God: and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
DBY Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, sinners, and purify [your] hearts, ye double-minded.
GNV Drawe neere to God, and he will drawe neere to you. Clense your handes, ye sinners, and purge your hearts, ye double minded.
LSB Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Verse 9
KJV Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
ASV Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
WEB Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom.
YLT be exceeding afflicted, and mourn, and weep, let your laughter to mourning be turned, and the joy to heaviness;
DRB Be afflicted and mourn and weep: let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into sorrow.
DBY Be wretched, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.
GNV Suffer afflictions, and sorrowe ye, and weepe: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your ioy into heauinesse.
LSB Be miserable and mourn and cry. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.
Verse 10
KJV Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
ASV Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you.
WEB Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.
YLT be made low before the Lord, and He shall exalt you.
DRB Be humbled in the sight of the Lord: and he will exalt you.
DBY Humble yourselves before [the] Lord, and he shall exalt you.
GNV Cast downe your selues before the Lord, and he will lift you vp.
LSB Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Verse 11
KJV Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
ASV Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
WEB Don’t speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his 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.
YLT Speak not one against another, brethren; he who is speaking against a brother, and is judging his brother, doth speak against law, and doth judge law, and if law thou dost judge, thou art not a doer of law but a judge;
DRB Detract not one another, my brethren. He that detracteth his brother, or he that judgeth his brother, detracteth the law and judgeth the law. But if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
DBY Speak not against one another, brethren. He that speaks against [his] brother, or judges his brother, speaks against [the] law and judges [the] law. But if thou judgest [the] law, thou art not doer of [the] law, but judge.
GNV Speake not euill one of another, brethren. He that speaketh euill of his brother, or he that condemneth his brother, speaketh euill of ye Law, and condemneth the Lawe: and if thou condemnest the Lawe, thou art not an obseruer of the Lawe, but a iudge.
LSB Do not slander one another, brothers. He who slanders a brother or judges his brother, slanders the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.
Verse 12
KJV There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
ASV One [only] is the lawgiver and judge, [even] he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?
WEB Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?
YLT one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; thou--who art thou that dost judge the other?
DRB There is one lawgiver and judge, that is able to destroy and to deliver.
DBY One is the lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy: but who art *thou* who judgest thy neighbour?
GNV There is one Lawgiuer, which is able to saue, and to destroy. Who art thou that iudgest another man?
LSB There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you who judge your neighbor?
Verse 13
KJV Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
ASV Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain:
WEB Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.”
YLT Go, now, ye who are saying, `To-day and to-morrow we will go on to such a city, and will pass there one year, and traffic, and make gain;'
DRB But who art thou that judgest thy neighbour? Behold, now you that say: To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and there we will spend a year and will traffic and make our gain.
DBY Go to now, ye who say, To-day or to-morrow will we go into such a city and spend a year there, and traffic and make gain,
GNV Goe to now ye that say, To day or to morowe we will goe into such a citie, and continue there a yeere, and bye and sell, and get gaine,
LSB Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”
Verse 14
KJV Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
ASV whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
WEB Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
YLT who do not know the thing of the morrow; for what is your life? for it is a vapour that is appearing for a little, and then is vanishing;
DRB Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow.
DBY ye who do not know what will be on the morrow, ([for] what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, appearing for a little while, and then disappearing,)
GNV (And yet ye cannot tell what shalbe to morowe. For what is your life? It is euen a vapour that appeareth for a litle time, and afterward vanisheth away)
LSB Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
Verse 15
KJV For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
ASV For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that.
WEB For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.”
YLT instead of your saying, `If the Lord may will, we shall live, and do this or that;'
DRB For what is your life? It is a vapour which appeareth for a little while and afterwards shall vanish away. For that you should say: If the Lord will, and, If we shall live, we will do this or that.
DBY instead of your saying, If the Lord should [so] will and we should live, we will also do this or that.
GNV For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, and, if we liue, we will doe this or that.
LSB Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
Verse 16
KJV But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
ASV But now ye glory in your vauntings: all such glorying is evil.
WEB But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil.
YLT and now ye glory in your pride; all such glorying is evil;
DRB But now you rejoice in your arrogancies. All such rejoicing is wicked.
DBY But now ye glory in your vauntings: all such glorying is evil.
GNV But now ye reioyce in your boastings: all such reioycing is euill.
LSB But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Verse 17
KJV Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
ASV To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
WEB To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.
YLT to him, then, knowing to do good, and not doing, sin it is to him.
DRB To him therefore who knoweth to do good and doth it not, to him it is sin.
DBY To him therefore who knows how to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.
GNV Therefore, to him that knoweth how to doe well, and doeth it not, to him it is sinne.
LSB Therefore, to one who knows to do the right thing and does not do it, to him it is sin.