The flower fades; God gives life

9But let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

10and the rich man in his humiliation, because like a flower of grass he will pass away.

11For the sun rose with its scorching heat and dried up the grass, and its flower fell off and the beauty of its appearance perished; so also the rich man will wither away in the midst of his pursuits.

12Blessed is the man who endures trial, because after he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which he promised to those who love him.

13Let no one who is being tempted say, “I am being tempted by God,” for God is untemptable by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

14But each one is tempted by his own desire, being drawn away and enticed.

15Then desire, after it has conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.

16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

18Having willed it, he gave birth to us by the word of truth, so that we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.