February 16, 2026

1James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings. 2II. The Value of Trials and Temptation - Perseverance in Trial. Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. 6But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways. 9The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in his high standing, 10and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.” 11For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

67Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to your promise. 68You are good and do what is good; teach me your statutes. 71It was good for me to be afflicted, in order to learn your statutes. 72The law of your mouth is more precious to me than heaps of silver and gold. 75I know, LORD, that your judgments are righteous; though you afflict me, you are faithful. 76May your mercy comfort me in accord with your promise to your servant.

6Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

11The Demand for a Sign. The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.