From James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes of the Dispersion.

My brothers, you will always have your trials but, when they come, try to treat them as a happy privilege; you understand that your faith is only put to the test to make you patient, but patience too is to have its practical results so that you will become fully-developed, complete, with nothing missing.

If there is any one of you who needs wisdom, he must ask God, who gives to all freely and ungrudgingly; it will be given to him. But he must ask with faith, and no trace of doubt, because a person who has doubts is like the waves thrown up in the sea when the wind drives. That sort of person, in two minds, wavering between going different ways, must not expect that the Lord will give him anything.

It is right for the poor brother to be proud of his high rank, and the rich one to be thankful that he has been humbled, because riches last no longer than the flowers in the grass; the scorching sun comes up, and the grass withers, the flower falls; what looked so beautiful now disappears. It is the same with the rich man: his business goes on; he himself perishes.

Let your love come to me and I shall live.

Before I was afflicted I strayed
  but now I keep your word.
You are good and your deeds are good;
  teach me your statutes.

Let your love come to me and I shall live.

It was good for me to be afflicted,
  to learn your statutes.
The law from your mouth means more to me
  than silver and gold.

Let your love come to me and I shall live.

Lord, I know that your decrees are right,
  that you afflicted me justly.
Let your love be ready to console me
  by your promise to your servant.

Let your love come to me and I shall live.

Alleluia, alleluia!
Harden not your hearts today,
but listen to the voice of the Lord.
Alleluia!