EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE

          This Epistle is called Catholic or Universal, as formerly
          were also the two Epistles of St. Peter, the first of St.
          John and that of St. Jude, because they were not written to
          any peculiar people or particular person, but to the
          faithful in general. It was written by the apostle St.
          James, called the Less, who was also called the brother of
          our Lord, being his kinsman (for cousins german with the
          Hebrews were called brothers). He was the first Bishop of
          Jerusalem. In this Epistle are set forth many precepts
          appertaining to faith and morals; particularly, that faith
          without good works will not save a man and that true wisdom
          is given only from above. In the fifth chapter he publishes
          the sacrament of anointing the sick. It was written a short
          time before his martyrdom, about twenty-eight years after
          our Lord's Ascension.

          James Chapter 1

          The benefit of tribulations. Prayer with faith. God is the
          author of all good, but not of evil. We must be slow to
          anger and not hearers only, but doers of the word. Of
          bridling the tongue and of pure religion.

          1:1. James, the servant of God and of our Lord Jesus
          Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad,
          greeting.

          1:2. My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall
          into divers temptations:

          Into divers temptations... The word temptation, in this
          epistle, is sometimes taken for trials by afflictions or
          persecutions, as in this place: at other times, it is to be
          understood, tempting, enticing, or drawing others into sin.

          1:3. Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience

          1:4. And patience hath a perfect work: that you may be
          perfect and entire, failing in nothing.

          1:5. But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God who
          giveth to all men abundantly and upbraideth not. And it
          shall be given him.

          1:6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he
          that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and
          carried about by the wind.

          1:7. Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive
          any thing of the Lord.

          1:8. A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways.

          1:9. But let the brother of low condition glory in his
          exaltation:

          1:10. And the rich, in his being low: because as the flower
          of the grass shall he pass away.

          1:11. For the sun rose with a burning heat and parched the
          grass: and the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of
          the shape thereof perished. So also shall the rich man fade
          away in his ways.

          1:12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for,
          when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of
          life which God hath promised to them that love him.

          1:13. Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is
          tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils: and he
          tempteth no man.

          1:14. But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence,
          being drawn away and allured.

          1:15. Then, when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth
          forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death.

          1:16. Do not err, therefore, my dearest brethren.

          1:17. Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above,
          coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is
          no change nor shadow of alteration.

          1:18. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word
          of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creature.

          Some beginning... That is, a kind of first fruits of his
          creatures.

          1:19. You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be
          swift to hear, but slow to speak and slow to anger.

          1:20. For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God.

          1:21. Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance
          of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word,
          which is able to save your souls.

          1:22. But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only,
          deceiving your own selves.

          1:23. For if a man be a hearer of the word and not a doer,
          he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance
          in a glass.

          1:24. For he beheld himself and went his way and presently
          forgot what manner of man he was.

          1:25. But he that hath looked into the perfect law of
          liberty and hath continued therein, not becoming a
          forgetful hearer but a doer of the work: this man shall be
          blessed in his deed.

          1:26. And if any man think himself to be religious, not
          bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man's
          religion is vain.

          1:27. Religion clean and undefiled before God and the
          Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their
          tribulation and to keep one's self unspotted from this
          world.

          James Chapter 2

          Against respect of persons. The danger of transgressing one
          point of the law. Faith is dead without works.

          2:1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus
          Christ of glory, with respect of persons.

          With respect of persons... The meaning is, that in matters
          relating to faith, the administering of the sacraments, and
          other spiritual functions in God's church, there should be
          no respect of persons; but that the souls of teh poor
          should be as much regarded as those of the rich. See Deut.
          1.17.

          2:2. For if there shall come into your assembly a man
          having a golden ring, in fine apparel; and there shall come
          in also a poor man in mean attire:

          2:3. And you have respect to him that is clothed with the
          fine apparel and shall say to him: Sit thou here well: but
          say to the poor man: Stand thou there, or: Sit under my
          footstool:

          2:4. Do you not judge within yourselves, and are become
          judges of unjust thoughts?

          2:5. Hearken, my dearest brethren: Hath not God chosen the
          poor in this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
          which God hath promised to them that love him?

          2:6. But you have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the rich
          oppress you by might? And do not they draw you before the
          judgment seats?

          2:7. Do not they blaspheme the good name that is invoked
          upon you?

          2:8. If then you fulfil the royal law, according to the
          scriptures: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; you
          do well.

          2:9. But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin,
          being reproved by the law as transgressors.

          2:10. And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in
          one point, is become guilty of all.

          Guilty of all;.. That is, he becomes a transgressor of the
          law in such a manner, that the observing of all other
          points will not avail him to salvation; for he despises the
          lawgiver, and breaks through the great and general
          commandment of charity, even by one mortal sin. For all the
          precepts of the law are to be considered as one total and
          entire law, and as it were a chain of precepts, where, by
          breaking one link of this chain, the whole chain is broken,
          or the integrity of the law consisting of a collection of
          precepts. A sinner, therefore, by a grievous offence
          against any one precept, incurs eternal punishment; yet the
          punishment in hell shall be greater for those who have been
          greater sinners, as a greater reward shall be for those in
          heaven who have lived with greater sanctity and perfection.

          2:11. For he that said: Thou shalt not commit adultery,
          said also: Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou do not commit
          adultery, but shalt kill, thou art become a transgressor of
          the law.

          2:12. So speak ye and so do, as being to be judged by the
          law of liberty.

          2:13. For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done
          mercy.  And mercy exalteth itself above judgment.

          2:14. What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he
          hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save
          him?

          2:15. And if a brother or sister be naked and want daily
          food:

          2:16. And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed
          and filled; yet give them not those things that are
          necessary for the body, what shall it profit?

          2:17. So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in
          itself.

          2:18. But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have
          works.  Shew me thy faith without works; and I will shew
          thee, by works, my faith.

          2:19. Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well:
          the devils also believe and tremble.

          2:20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without
          works is dead?

          2:21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works,
          offering up Isaac his son upon the altar?

          2:22. Seest thou that faith did cooperate with his works
          and by works faith was made perfect?

          2:23. And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham
          believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he
          was called the friend of God.

          2:24. Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not
          by faith only?

          2:25. And in like manner also Rahab the harlot, was not she
          justified by works, receiving the messengers and sending
          them out another way?

          2:26. For even as the body without the spirit is dead: so
          also faith without works is dead.

          James Chapter 3

          Of the evils of the tongue. Of the difference between the
          earthly and heavenly wisdom.

          3:1. Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you
          receive the greater judgment.

          3:2. For in many things we all offend. If any man offend
          not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also
          with a bridle to lead about the whole body.

          3:3. For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that
          they may obey us: and we turn about their whole body.

          3:4. Behold also ships, whereas they are great and are
          driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a
          small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor
          willeth.

          3:5. Even so the tongue is indeed a little member and
          boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a
          great wood.

          3:6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The
          tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the
          whole body and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being
          set on fire by hell.

          3:7. For every nature of beasts and of birds and of
          serpents and of the rest is tamed and hath been tamed, by
          the nature of man.

          3:8. But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full
          of deadly poison.

          3:9. By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse
          men who are made after the likeness of God.

          3:10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and
          cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

          3:11. Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole,
          sweet and bitter water?

          3:12. Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes? Or the
          vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet.

          3:13. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge, among
          you? Let him shew, by a good contestation, his work in the
          meekness of wisdom.

          3:14. But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contention
          in your hearts: glory not and be not liars against the
          truth.

          3:15. For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but
          earthly, sensual, devilish.

          3:16. For where envying and contention is: there is
          inconstancy and every evil work.

          3:17. But the wisdom that is from above, first indeed is
          chaste, then peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded,
          consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits,
          without judging, without dissimulation.

          3:18. And the fruit of justice is sown in peace, to them
          that make peace.

          James Chapter 4

          The evils that flow from yielding to concupiscence and
          being friends to this world. Admonitions against pride,
          detraction and the like.

          4:1. From whence are wars and contentions among you? Are
          they not hence, from your concupiscences, which war in your
          members?

          4:2. You covet, and have not: you kill and envy and cannot
          obtain.  You contend and war, and you have not: because you
          ask not.

          4:3. You ask and receive not: because you ask amiss, that
          you may consume it on your concupiscences.

          4:4. 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.

          4:5. Or do you think that the scripture saith in vain: To
          envy doth the spirit covet which dwelleth in you?

          4:6. But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God
          resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.

          4:7. Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil: and
          he will fly from you.

          4:8. Draw nigh to God: and he will draw nigh to you.
          Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye
          double minded.

          4:9. Be afflicted and mourn and weep: let your laughter be
          turned into mourning and your joy into sorrow.

          4:10. Be humbled in the sight of the Lord: and he will
          exalt you.

          4:11. 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.

          4:12. There is one lawgiver and judge, that is able to
          destroy and to deliver.

          4:13. 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.

          4:14. Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow.

          4:15. 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.

          4:16. But now you rejoice in your arrogancies. All such
          rejoicing is wicked.

          4:17. To him therefore who knoweth to do good and doth it
          not, to him it is sin.

          James Chapter 5

          A woe to the rich that oppress the poor. Exhortations to
          patience and to avoid swearing. Of the anointing the sick,
          confession of sins and fervour in prayer.

          5:1. Go to now, ye rich men: weep and howl in your
          miseries, which shall come upon you.

          5:2. Your riches are corrupted: and your garments are
          motheaten.

          5:3. Your gold and silver is cankered: and the rust of them
          shall be for a testimony against you and shall eat your
          flesh like fire.  You have stored up to yourselves wrath
          against the last days.

          5:4. Behold the hire of the labourers who have reaped down
          your fields, which by fraud has been kept back by you,
          crieth: and the cry of them hath entered into the ears of
          the Lord of Sabaoth.

          5:5. You have feasted upon earth: and in riotousness you
          have nourished your hearts, in the day of slaughter.

          5:6. You have condemned and put to death the Just One: and
          he resisted you not.

          5:7. Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of
          the Lord.  Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious
          fruit of the earth: patiently bearing till he receive the
          early and latter rain.

          5:8. Be you therefore also patient and strengthen your
          hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

          5:9. Grudge not, brethren, one against another, that you
          may not be judged. Behold the judge standeth before the
          door.

          5:10. Take, my brethren, for example of suffering evil, of
          labour and patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of
          the Lord.

          5:11. Behold, we account them blessed who have endured. You
          have heard of the patience of Job and you have seen the end
          of the Lord, that the Lord is merciful and compassionate.

          5:12. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither
          by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath. But let
          your speech be: Yea, Yea: No, No: that you fall not under
          judgment.

          5:13. Is any of you sad? Let him pray: Is he cheerful in
          mind? Let him sing.

          5:14. Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the
          priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing
          him with oil in the name of the Lord.

          Let him bring in, etc... See here a plain warrant of
          scripture for the sacrament of extreme unction, that any
          controversy against its institution would be against the
          express words of the sacred text in the plainest terms.

          5:15. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And
          the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they
          shall be forgiven him.

          5:16. Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray
          one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual
          prayer of a just man availeth much.

          Confess your sins one to another... That is, to the priests
          of the church, whom (ver.14) he had ordered to be called
          for, and brought in to the sick; moreover, to confess to
          persons who had no power to forgive sins, would be useless.
          Hence the precept here means, that we must confess to men
          whom Gkod hath appointed, and who, by their ordination and
          jurisdiction, have received the power of remitting sins in
          his name.

          5:17. Elias was a man passible like unto us: and with
          prayer he prayed that it might not rain 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 multitude of sins.

The text in this file was taken with permission from Catholic Software's Douay Bible program, a complete multimedia Bible for the PC. The complete product description follows:

Douay Bible ME: A multimedia Bible. Text and footnotes are from the 1899 version of the Douay-Rheims Bible. Supports unlimited cut and paste as well as searches. It also has a concordance, topical index, and maps. These features make it powerful and easy to use. Music and color photography make it a visual and auditory feast. However, if your computer doesn't support multimedia, you can suppress these features at installation time. Available for DOS, Windows, or Windows 95. $85.00. Order from: Catholic Software, P.O. Box 1914, Murray, KY 42071. Phone: 1-502-753-8198.