James 4:2 akjv — You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because y…

American King James Version

"You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. "

— James 4:2, American King James Version

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James 4:2 in Other Translations

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James 4 — Context

1

From where come wars and fights among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2

You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not.

3

You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts.

4

You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

5

Do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy?

James 4:2 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does James 4:2 say?
James 4:2 in the American King James Version reads: “You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. ”
Where is James 4:2 in the Bible?
James 4:2 is found in the New Testament, in the book of James, chapter 4, verse 2.
Who wrote James?
James is traditionally attributed to James, half-brother of Jesus, leader of the Jerusalem church. It was written c. AD 44–49.
What is the book of James about?
James is the New Testament's closest cousin to Old-Testament wisdom literature — pungent, practical, and uncompromising. Faith without works is dead. The tongue is a fire. The prayers of a righteous man avail much. It calls Christians to walk their talk.
What are the major themes of James?
James explores themes including Faith and Works, Wisdom, Speech, Suffering, Prayer. These themes shape the meaning and context of James 4:2.
What translation should I read James 4:2 in?
James 4:2 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize James 4:2?
James 4:2 reads (AKJV): “You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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