James 1:5

1:5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.

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 3:4

3:4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs.

James 5:14

5:14 Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint ⁴  him with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:17

5:17 Elijah was a human being ⁵  like us, and he prayed earnestly ⁶  that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months!

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).

¹ tn Grk “anointing.”

¹ tn Although it is certainly true that Elijah was a “man,” here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") has been translated as “human being” because the emphasis in context is not on Elijah’s masculine gender, but on the common humanity he shared with the author and the readers.

² tn Grk “he prayed with prayer” (using a Hebrew idiom to show intensity).