James 4:5 net — Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says,“The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious y…

NET Bible

"Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says,“The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”?"

— James 4:5, NET Bible

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James 4:5 in Other Translations

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James 4 — Context

2

You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask;

3

you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.

4

Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.

5

Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says,“The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”?

6

But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says,“God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.”

7

So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.

8

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.

James 4:5 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does James 4:5 say?
James 4:5 in the NET Bible reads: “Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says,“The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”?”
Where is James 4:5 in the Bible?
James 4:5 is found in the New Testament, in the book of James, chapter 4, verse 5.
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 4:5.
What translation should I read James 4:5 in?
James 4:5 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 4:5?
James 4:5 reads (NET): “Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says,“The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”?” 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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