YAC 1:13 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=minor/spelling Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) No one should say ‘It’s God tempting me’ when they’re being tempted, because God can’t be tempted to do evil and he doesn’t tempt others,

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Let no one being tempted say, “I am tempted by God,” because God is untempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

UST When we are tempted to sin, we must not think it is God who is tempting us. No, no one can persuade God to do evil, and God never tries to persuade anyone to do evil.

BSB When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, [nor] does He tempt [anyone].

BLB Let no one being tempted say, "I am being tempted by God." For God is unable to be tempted by evils, and He Himself tempts no one.

AICNT Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one.

OEB Let no one say, when they are tempted, ‘It is God who is tempting me!’ For God, who cannot be tempted to do wrong, does not himself tempt anyone.

WEBBE Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

LSV Let no one who is being tempted say, “I am tempted from God,” for God is not tempted by evils, and Himself tempts no one,

FBV Nobody should say when they're tempted, “I'm being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.

TCNT No one should say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God is not tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

T4T If people are tempted to do something that is evil, they should not think that it is God who is tempting them, because God is totally/completely good. He never tempts anyone to do what is evil, nor can he ever be tempted to do anything evil.

LEB No one who is being tempted should say, “I am being tempted by God,” for God _⌊cannot be tempted_⌋[fn] by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

1:13 Literally “is without temptation”

BBE Let no man say when he is tested, I am tested by God; for it is not possible for God to be tested by evil, and he himself puts no man to such a test:

Moff Let no one who is tried by temptation say, "My temptation comes from God"; God is incapable of being tempted by evil and he tempts no one.

Wymth Let no one say when passing through trial, "My temptation is from God;" for God is incapable of being tempted to do evil, and He Himself tempts no one.

ASV Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:

DRA Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils, and he tempteth no man.

YLT Let no one say, being tempted — 'From God I am tempted,' for God is not tempted of evil, and Himself doth tempt no one,

Drby Let no man, being tempted, say, I am tempted of [fn]God. For [fn]God cannot be tempted by evil things, and himself tempts no one.

1.13 Elohim

RV Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:

SLT Let none say being tempted, that I am tempted of God: for God is not tempted of evils, and he tempts none:

Wbstr Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

KJB-1769 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

KJB-1611 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with [fn]euill, neither tempteth he any man.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

1:13 Or, euils.

Bshps Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God can not be tempted with euyl, neither tempteth he any man:
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Gnva Let no man say when hee is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God can not bee tempted with euill, neither tempteth he any man.
(Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. )

Cvdl Let no man saye when he is tempted, yt he is tempted of God. For God tepteth not vnto euell, nether tepteth he eny man.
(Let no man say when he is tempted, it he is tempted of God. For God tepteth not unto evil, neither tepteth he any man.)

TNT Let no man saye when he is tepted that he is tempted of God. For God tepteth not vnto evyll nether tepteth he anie man.
(Let no man say when he is tepted that he is tempted of God. For God tepteth not unto evil neither tepteth he anie man. )

Wycl No man whanne he is temptid, seie, that he is temptid of God; for whi God is not a temptere of yuele thingis, for he temptith no man.
(No man when he is tempted, say, that he is tempted of God; for why God is not a temptere of evil things, for he temptith no man.)

Luth Niemand sage, wenn er versuchet wird, daß er von GOtt versucht werde; denn GOtt ist nicht ein Versucher zum Bösen; er versuchet niemand;
(Niemand said, when he tried becomes, that he from God tried become; because/than God is not a Versucher for_the evil/evil_people; he tried no_one;)

ClVg Nemo cum tentatur, dicat quoniam a Deo tentatur: Deus enim intentator malorum est: ipse autem neminem tentat.[fn]
(Nobody when/with tentatur, let_him_say since/because from to_God tentatur: God because intentator of_evil it_is: exactly_that/himself however no_one tentat. )

1.13 Nemo, cum tentatur. BED. Hactenus de tentationibus exterioribus, nunc, etc., usque ad et hominem quasi ex necessitate peccare. Quoniam a Deo tentatur. Exteriorem tentationem immittit Deus ad probationem suorum, interiorem vero, qua sæpe concipitur furtum, adulterium, homicidium, non immittit Deus.

1.13 Nobody, when/with tentatur. BED. Hactenus from/about temptations exterioribus, now, etc., until to and man as_if from necessitate to_sin. Since from to_God tentatur. Exteriorem temptation immittit God to approvesionem of_his_own, interior indeed/however, which often concipitur furtum, adultery, murder, not/no immittit God.

UGNT μηδεὶς πειραζόμενος λεγέτω, ὅτι ἀπὸ Θεοῦ πειράζομαι. ὁ γὰρ Θεὸς ἀπείραστός ἐστιν κακῶν, πειράζει δὲ αὐτὸς οὐδένα.
(maʸdeis peirazomenos legetō, hoti apo Theou peirazomai. ho gar Theos apeirastos estin kakōn, peirazei de autos oudena.)

SBL-GNT μηδεὶς πειραζόμενος λεγέτω ὅτι Ἀπὸ θεοῦ πειράζομαι· ὁ γὰρ θεὸς ἀπείραστός ἐστιν κακῶν, πειράζει δὲ αὐτὸς οὐδένα.
(maʸdeis peirazomenos legetō hoti Apo theou peirazomai; ho gar theos apeirastos estin kakōn, peirazei de autos oudena.)

RP-GNT Μηδεὶς πειραζόμενος λεγέτω ὅτι Ἀπὸ θεοῦ πειράζομαι· ὁ γὰρ θεὸς ἀπείραστός ἐστιν κακῶν, πειράζει δὲ αὐτὸς οὐδένα·
(Maʸdeis peirazomenos legetō hoti Apo theou peirazomai; ho gar theos apeirastos estin kakōn, peirazei de autos oudena;)

TC-GNT Μηδεὶς πειραζόμενος λεγέτω ὅτι Ἀπὸ [fn]Θεοῦ πειράζομαι· ὁ γὰρ Θεὸς ἀπείραστός ἐστι κακῶν, πειράζει δὲ αὐτὸς οὐδένα·
(Maʸdeis peirazomenos legetō hoti Apo Theou peirazomai; ho gar Theos apeirastos esti kakōn, peirazei de autos oudena; )

1:13 θεου ¦ του θεου TR

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:12–18: God does not tempt people to do evil

This section has an opening verse (1:12)Some commentators connect 1:12 to 1:2–11 (Hiebert, for example). Others see 1:12 as a kind of “hinge” that connects 1:2–11 to 1:12–18 (Moo (2000), pages 71–72; McCartney, page 100). They recognize that 1:2–3 and 1:12 form an inclusio, or verbal bracket to 1:2–12 through the repetition in both of three key words: trials (πειρασμοῖς/πειρασμόν), testing (δοκίμιον/δόκιμος), and endurance (ὑπομονήν/ὑπομένει). and two main paragraphs (1:13–15 and 1:16–18). In 1:12 James recalled 1:2–3 and that it was important to persevere in times of trial and temptation. The next paragraph, 1:13–15, points out that it is not God who tempts us but our own sinful desires, which eventually lead to death. Paragraph 1:16–18 reinforces this by saying that God gives only good gifts.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Christians should endure testing and temptations

Trials and temptations

Paragraph 1:13–15

In this paragraph, James taught that God does not tempt people. Our own sinful desires in our hearts and minds tempt us.

1:13a

When tempted,

¶ When someone is tempted,
¶ When/If temptation happens to someone,
¶ If something causes you^(plur) to want/desire to do evil,

When tempted: The Greek word that the BSB translates as tempted refers to being “encouraged/enticed to do something wrong.” Some ways to translate this word are:

caused to desire to do what is wrong

persuaded to do evil

encouraged/urged to sin

Notice that there is a difference between being tempted to do something wrong and actually doing it.

Here the word tempted is a passive verb. There are at least two ways to translate it:

Use a passive verb. For example:
When people are tempted (NCV)
Use another type of verb. For example:
When you experience/undergo temptation
When you desire to do evil

This Greek word is related to the word translated as “trial” in 1:2b and 1:12a. It has a wide range of meanings in Greek. It can mean:

“tested” to cause a person to trust God more.
“tempted” to do evil. This is its meaning in 1:13.

The context indicates which meaning is intended.

In some languages, it is necessary to use a different word here than in 1:2b and 1:12a. This is true in English. In other languages, there may be one term which fits both testing/trials and temptations. This is true in Greek. In such a case, it may be necessary to add a phrase that indicates the purpose of the testing/trial. For example:

When we are tested to make us do evil

When we experience trials/difficulties which might cause us to sin

1:13b

no one should say,

he should not say,
that person should not say that
do^(plur) not say that

1:13c

“God is tempting me.”

“It is God who is tempting me.”
God is the one tempting/enticing him to do wrong/evil.
God is causing you^(plur) to want/desire to do evil.

“God is tempting me.”: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as God is tempting me is literally “I am being tempted from God.” The verb is passive. Some ways to translate this clause are:

General Comment on 1:13c

Use a passive verb. For example:
I am tempted by God (RSV)
Use an active verb. For example:
God is tempting me (NLT)

In some languages, it may be more natural to use indirect speech here. For example:

No one should say that God is tempting him.

1:13d

For God cannot be tempted by evil,

For God is never tempted to do wrong,
Because evil can never tempt God,
God never wants/desires to do anything wrong/sinful,

For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as For introduces the basis for James’ command in 1:13a–b. No one should say, “God is tempting me” (1:13a–b), because God cannot be tempted by evil… (1:13d–1:15). The basis for the command continues to the end of 1:15.

God cannot be tempted by evil: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as cannot be tempted by evil means that God never feels the desire to do anything wrong. He never wants to sin. So though someone might try to tempt him, he will never do what is wrong.

There are at least two ways to translate this phrase:

Use a passive verb. For example:
God is never tempted to do wrong (NLT)
Use an active verb. For example:
Evil cannot tempt God (NCV)
God never wants to do anything wrong

by evil: The word evil in this context refers to moral evil. It refers to acts and thoughts that are morally harmful and damage a person’s spiritual life. God will never desire to do anything that is wrong, sinful, or against his holy character and nature.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

wrong

sinful

1:13e

nor does He tempt anyone.

nor does God tempt anyone.
and God does not tempt/entice anyone to do wrong.
and he never causes anyone to want/desire to do evil.

nor does He tempt anyone: The clause nor does He tempt anyone means that God does not encourage anyone to do something wrong. He never urges anyone to sin.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and he doesn’t use evil to tempt others (CEV)

and he does not try to make people want to do wrong

General Comment on 1:13a–e

In some languages, it is more natural to change the order of 1:13d and 1:13e. For example:

^13aWhen tempted, ^13bno one should say, ^13c“God is tempting me.” ^13eFor God does not tempt anyone, ^13dnor can he be tempted by evil.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἀπὸ Θεοῦ πειράζομαι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Μηδείς πειραζόμενος λεγέτω ὅτι Ἀπό Θεοῦ πειράζομαι ὁ Γάρ Θεός ἀπείραστος ἐστίν κακῶν πειράζει δέ αὐτός οὐδένα)

If your language does not use this passive form, you can express this with an active form. Alternate translation: [God is tempting me] or [God is leading me to do something wrong]

ὁ & Θεὸς ἀπείραστός ἐστιν κακῶν

¬the & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Μηδείς πειραζόμενος λεγέτω ὅτι Ἀπό Θεοῦ πειράζομαι ὁ Γάρ Θεός ἀπείραστος ἐστίν κακῶν πειράζει δέ αὐτός οὐδένα)

Even though the word that ULT translates as untempted is an adjective, not a passive verbal form, it may be helpful to your readers if you translate it with an active verbal form. Alternate translation: [evil does not tempt God] or [God’s desires never lead him to do something wrong]

πειράζει δὲ αὐτὸς οὐδένα

˓is˒_tempting (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Μηδείς πειραζόμενος λεγέτω ὅτι Ἀπό Θεοῦ πειράζομαι ὁ Γάρ Θεός ἀπείραστος ἐστίν κακῶν πειράζει δέ αὐτός οὐδένα)

Alternate translation: [and God himself never leads anyone to do anything wrong]

Parallel YAC 1:13