Or do you think that in vain the scripture says, “The spirit which he caused to dwell in us desires jealously”?[a] But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says,

“God opposes the proud,
    but gives grace to the humble.”[b]

Therefore subject yourselves to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

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Footnotes

  1. James 4:5 This translation takes “spirit” to be the capacity within people that produces a divided mind and conflicts regarding God; other translations take this to refer to the Holy Spirit: “He (God) jealously desires the Spirit which he caused to dwell in us”
  2. James 4:6 A quotation from Prov 3:34

Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[a]?(A) But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[b](B)

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,(C) and he will flee from you.

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Footnotes

  1. James 4:5 Or that the spirit he caused to dwell in us envies intensely; or that the Spirit he caused to dwell in us longs jealously
  2. James 4:6 Prov. 3:34