James 1:17

1:17 All generous giving and every perfect gift ¹  is from above, coming down ²  from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. ³ 

James 3:2

3:2 For we all stumble ⁴  in many ways. If someone does not stumble ⁵  in what he says, ⁶  he is a perfect individual, ⁷  able to control the entire body as well.

James 5:12

5:12 And above all, my brothers and sisters, ⁸  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 into judgment.

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¹ tn The first phrase refers to the action of giving and the second to what is given.

² tn Or “All generous giving and every perfect gift from above is coming down.”

³ tn Grk “variation or shadow of turning” (referring to the motions of heavenly bodies causing variations of light and darkness).

⁴ tn Or “fail.”

⁵ tn Or “fail.”

⁶ tn Grk “in speech.”

⁷ tn The word for “man” or “individual” is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But it sometimes is used generically to mean “anyone,” “a person,” as here (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 2).

⁸ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.