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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

James 4:1–8

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
FROM whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
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.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
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.
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

40 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 1

  1. 1 Peter 2:11Rank 1 from verse 1
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    11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

  2. Galatians 5:17Rank 2 from verse 1
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    17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

  3. Romans 7:23Rank 3 from verse 1
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    23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

  4. James 1:14Rank 4 from verse 1
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    14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

  5. Romans 8:7Rank 5 from verse 1
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    7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

From verse 2

  1. John 16:24Rank 1 from verse 2
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    24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

  2. Matthew 7:7–8Rank 2 from verse 2
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    7¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

    8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

  3. James 1:5Rank 3 from verse 2
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    5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

  4. Luke 11:9–13Rank 4 from verse 2
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    9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

    10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

    11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

    12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

    13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

  5. John 4:10Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

From verse 3

  1. 1 John 5:14Rank 1 from verse 3
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    14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

  2. 1 John 3:22Rank 2 from verse 3
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    22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

  3. James 1:6–7Rank 3 from verse 3
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    6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

    7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

  4. James 4:1Rank 4 from verse 3
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    1FROM whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

  5. Proverbs 15:8Rank 5 from verse 3
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    8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

From verse 4

  1. 1 John 2:15–16Rank 1 from verse 4
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    15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

    16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

  2. Romans 8:7Rank 2 from verse 4
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    7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

  3. John 15:19Rank 3 from verse 4
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    19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

  4. Matthew 6:24Rank 4 from verse 4
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    24¶ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

  5. Galatians 1:10Rank 5 from verse 4
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    10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

From verse 5

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:16Rank 1 from verse 5
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    16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  2. 1 Corinthians 6:19Rank 2 from verse 5
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    19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

  3. Numbers 11:29Rank 3 from verse 5
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    29And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!

  4. Titus 3:3Rank 4 from verse 5
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    3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

  5. Genesis 8:21Rank 5 from verse 5
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    21And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

From verse 6

  1. Matthew 23:12Rank 1 from verse 6
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    12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

  2. Proverbs 3:34Rank 2 from verse 6
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    34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

  3. 1 Peter 5:5Rank 3 from verse 6
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    5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

  4. Proverbs 18:12Rank 4 from verse 6
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    12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

  5. Psalms 138:6Rank 5 from verse 6
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    6Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

From verse 7

  1. 1 Peter 5:8–9Rank 1 from verse 7
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    8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

    9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

  2. Ephesians 4:27Rank 2 from verse 7
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    27Neither give place to the devil.

  3. Ephesians 6:11–12Rank 3 from verse 7
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    11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

    12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

  4. 1 Peter 5:6Rank 4 from verse 7
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    6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

  5. Luke 4:2–13Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    2Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

    3And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

    4And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

    5And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

    6And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

    7If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

    8And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

    9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:

    10For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

    11And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

    12And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

    13And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

From verse 8

  1. Psalms 145:18Rank 1 from verse 8
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    18The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

  2. Hebrews 10:22Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

  3. Malachi 3:7Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    7¶ Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

  4. Zechariah 1:3Rank 4 from verse 8
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    3Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.

  5. Isaiah 55:6–7Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    6¶ Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

    7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

James 4:1

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hence

↗

1. From this place; away from here. 2. From this source or cause. 3. Of time, from now.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

your

↗

The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

war

↗

Sense 1: Armed conflict. Sense 2: As a verb, to fight or contend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

members

↗

Sense 1: The limbs, organs, faculties, or other constituent parts of a body. Sense 2: Figuratively, persons joined as distinct parts of one body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 4:2

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lust

↗

Sense 1: Strong desire, craving, or appetite. Sense 2: To desire or crave.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

desire

↗

Sense 1: A wish, longing, request, pleasure, or thing wished for. Sense 2: To wish for, long for, request, or take pleasure in.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fight

↗

Sense 1: A battle, struggle, or contest. Sense 2: As a verb, to contend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

war

↗

Sense 1: Armed conflict. Sense 2: As a verb, to fight or contend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

yet

↗

1. Up to or at the present or stated time; still. 2. At some future time. 3. Nevertheless; however. 4. In addition; further.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 4:3

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

amiss

↗

Wrongly, improperly, or faultily; in a manner that is wrong or evil.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

consume

↗

1. To destroy, use up, or bring to an end. 2. To waste away or be exhausted.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

your

↗

The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 4:4

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

enmity

↗

Hostility, opposition, hatred, or the state of being enemies rather than at peace or reconciled.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

friend

↗

One joined to another by affection, goodwill, or alliance; to support or befriend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 4:5

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

think

↗

1. To form or hold a thought. 2. To judge or suppose. 3. To intend. 4. To consider or remember. 5. To imagine or esteem.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

scripture

↗

The sacred writing or writings given by inspiration of God, whether taken collectively or as a particular passage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vain

↗

Empty, fruitless, ineffective, unprofitable, worthless, false, unsubstantial, or conceited.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

envy

↗

Sense 1: Resentful desire at another's good. Sense 2: As a verb, to feel such jealousy.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 4:6

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

grace

↗

Sense 1: Favor, acceptance, goodwill, kindness, or mercy. Sense 2: A favor, gift, benefit, or help freely bestowed, especially God's favor and enabling help; in salvation, explicitly contrasted with works and debt. Sense 3: Pleasing quality, beauty, attractiveness, or elegance, including gracious speech. Sense 4: Thankfulness or gratitude.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wherefore

↗

1. For that reason, or as a conclusion from what precedes; therefore or consequently. 2. For what reason or purpose; why.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

humble

↗

Sense 1: Lowly in mind or condition; free from pride. Sense 2: To abase or bring low.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 4:7

COMBINED MEANING

submit

↗

To yield, place oneself under, defer, obey, accept judgment, or cease resistance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

resist

↗

To oppose, withstand, strive against, hinder, refuse, or set oneself against.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

devil

↗

Sense 1: The Devil: Satan, the old serpent, the enemy, adversary, tempter, and deceiver. Sense 2: An evil or unclean spirit. Sense 3: By figure, a person characterized by great wickedness.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 4:8

COMBINED MEANING

draw

↗

1. To pull or drag. 2. To bring, lead, or attract. 3. To take out or extract. 4. To make a line.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

nigh

↗

Near or close in place, time, relationship, kinship, condition, access, or degree; approaching, drawing close, at hand, or almost.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

cleanse

↗

To make clean or pure; to remove filth, defilement, guilt, or ceremonial uncleanness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

your

↗

The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

purify

↗

Sense 1: To make or declare ceremonially clean. Sense 2: To cleanse from moral defilement. Sense 3: To refine as metal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hearts

↗

The inward lives of persons: their thoughts, understanding, conscience, affections, desires, purposes, will, courage, or disposition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

double

↗

Sense 1: Twice the amount, number, or measure. Sense 2: Of heart or mind, divided or inconsistent. Sense 3: Folded over or made of two parts or layers. Sense 4: To make twice as much or twofold; to fold or turn over upon itself.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

minded

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of mind, meaning to attend to, regard, remember, purpose, or be disposed toward something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

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READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

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1FROM whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Selected passage

2Ye 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.

Selected passage

3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Selected passage

4Ye 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.

Selected passage

5Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

Selected passage

6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Selected passage

7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Selected passage

8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Selected passage

9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

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