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ParallelVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
Yacob/(James) Intro C1 C2 C3 C4 C5
Yac 1 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27
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=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)
OET (OET-RV) and after the desire is conceived it leads to sin, and once the sin is concluded it leads to death.![]()
OET-LV Thereafter the desire having_conceived is_bearing sin, and the sin having_been_finished_out, is_bringing_forth death.
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SR-GNT Εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν, ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα, ἀποκύει θάνατον. ‡
(Eita haʸ epithumia sullabousa tiktei hamartian, haʸ de hamartia apotelestheisa, apokuei thanaton.)
Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object.
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 Then the desire, having conceived, bears sin, and the sin, having grown up, gives birth to death.
UST Then, because they have desired to do evil things, they begin to do them, and eventually they do them habitually. If they do not turn away from their sinful behavior, they will be separated from God forever.
BSB Then [after] desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
MSB (Same as BSB above)
BLB Then desire having conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin having become fully grown, brings forth death.
AICNT Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
OEB Then passion conceives and gives birth to sin, and sin, on reaching maturity, brings forth death.
WEBBE Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. The sin, when it is full grown, produces death.
WMBB (Same as above)
NET Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.
LSV afterward the desire having conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin having been perfected, brings forth death.
FBV Such desires lead to sin, and sin, when it's fully developed, causes death.
TCNT And when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. And when sin is fully grown, it brings forth death.
T4T Then, because they have desired [MET] to do evil [PRS] things, they begin to [MET] do [PRS] them. And when they have become ones who habitually do what is evil [MET], if they do not turn away from their sinful behavior, they will be separated from God forever.
LEB Then desire, after it[fn] has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it[fn] is brought to completion, gives birth to death.
1:15 *Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“has conceived”) which is understood as temporal
1:15 *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“is brought to completion”) which is understood as temporal
BBE Then when its time comes, desire gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is of full growth, gives birth to death.
Moff then Desire conceives and breeds Sin, while Sin matures and gives birth to Death.
Wymth Then the passion conceives, and becomes the parent of sin; and sin, when fully matured, gives birth to death.
ASV Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.
DRA Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death.
YLT afterward the desire having conceived, doth give birth to sin, and the sin having been perfected, doth bring forth death.
Drby then lust, having conceived, gives birth to sin; but sin fully completed brings forth death.
RV Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.
(Then the lust, when it hath/has conceived, beareth/bears sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth/brings forth death. )
SLT So then lust conceiving, brings forth sin: and sin performed, produces death.
Wbstr Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
KJB-1769 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(Then when lust hath/has conceived, it bringeth/brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth/brings forth death. )
KJB-1611 Then when lust hath conceiued, it bringeth forth sinne: and sinne, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above)
Bshps Then, when lust hath conceaued, it bryngeth foorth sinne: and sinne when it is finished, bryngeth foorth death.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)
Gnva Then when lust hath conceiued, it bringeth foorth sinne, and sinne when it is finished, bringeth foorth death.
(Then when lust hath/has conceived, it bringeth/brings forth sin, and sin when it is finished, bringeth/brings forth death. )
Cvdl The whe lust hath conceaued, she bringeth forth synne, & synne when it is fynished, bringeth forth deeth.
(The when lust hath/has conceived, she bringeth/brings forth sin, and sin when it is finished, bringeth/brings forth death.)
TNT Then when lust hath conceaved she bringeth forth synne and synne when it is fynisshed bringeth forthe deeth.
(Then when lust hath/has conceaved she bringeth/brings forth sin and sin when it is fynisshed bringeth/brings forth death. )
Wycl Aftirward coueityng, whanne it hath conseyued, bringith forth synne; but synne, whanne it is fillid, gendrith deth.
(Afterward coueiting, when it hath/has conceived, bringeth/brings forth sin; but sin, when it is filled, gendrith death.)
Luth Danach, wenn die Lust empfangen hat, gebieret sie die Sünde; die Sünde aber, wenn sie vollendet ist, gebieret sie den Tod.
(Thereafter/Then, when the desire/lust(n) received has, gebieret they/she/them the sin(n); the sin(n) but, when they/she/them completed is, gebieret they/she/them the death.)
ClVg Deinde concupiscentia cum conceperit, parit peccatum: peccatum vero cum consummatum fuerit, generat mortem.
(Then/Next desire when/with conceived, parit sin: sin indeed/however when/with finishum has_been, generat death. )
UGNT εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν, ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα, ἀποκύει θάνατον.
(eita haʸ epithumia sullabousa tiktei hamartian, haʸ de hamartia apotelestheisa, apokuei thanaton.)
SBL-GNT εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν, ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα ἀποκύει θάνατον.
(eita haʸ epithumia sullabousa tiktei hamartian, haʸ de hamartia apotelestheisa apokuei thanaton.)
RP-GNT Εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν· ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα ἀποκύει θάνατον.
(Eita haʸ epithumia sullabousa tiktei hamartian; haʸ de hamartia apotelestheisa apokuei thanaton.)
TC-GNT Εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν· ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα ἀποκύει θάνατον.
(Eita haʸ epithumia sullabousa tiktei hamartian; haʸ de hamartia apotelestheisa apokuei thanaton. )
Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).
1:15 When evil desires conceive, they give birth to sinful actions (literally sin, personified as an infant). When the infant sin is allowed to grow to full maturity, it gives birth to death, in opposition to “the crown of [eternal] life” (1:12).
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
In this paragraph, James taught that God does not tempt people. Our own sinful desires in our hearts and minds tempt us.
Verse 1:15 is an extended metaphor. The stages of sin are compared to the stages of a woman having a child. Each stage is described below.
Verse 1:15 is also a personification. This means that “desire” and “sin” are both described as doing things that people normally do.
Then after desire has conceived,
Then, it is like his desire becomes pregnant.
Next, after he conceives a plan to sin,
As a result, they decide to do the evil that they desire,
Then: The word Then introduces the result and next logical step after a person is enticed to do wrong. When translating this word, consider how your language speaks of events that normally happen in a set order. Consider how to properly introduce an event that is the result of the one before it.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
As a result
Next
And then
desire has conceived: The clause desire has conceived is both a metaphor and personification. After a person is lured to sin (1:14c), the next step is that he actually decides to sin. This step is compared to conceiving a child.
Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:
Keep the metaphor. For example:
Then desire becomes pregnant (GW)
Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
Then, it is like the person’s desire becomes pregnant,
Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
Then, he conceives/develops a plan to do what he desires
Translate the meaning. For example:
Then he decides/plans to actually do the evil that he desires
has conceived: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as has conceived refers to the beginning of a woman’s pregnancy. For example:
becomes pregnant (GW)
Use a word or phrase that is appropriate for reading aloud in church and will not offend or embarrass anyone.
it gives birth to sin;
Then, it is like the desire gives birth to sin.
sin is born/produced.
then they commit/do the evil/sin.
it gives birth to sin: This clause continues the metaphor and personification. The word it refers to “desire” in 1:15a. In this metaphor, sin is committed. This is compared to giving birth to a child.
Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:
Keep the metaphor. For example:
and gives birth to sin (GW)
the child born to desire is sin
Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
and it is like a woman who gives birth to sin
Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
sin is born
it produces sin
Translate the meaning. For example:
Next he commits/does the sin
sin: The noun sin refers to any offense against God or another person. Sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves.In Greek, the verb that English versions translate as sin is also a term that was used in archery to mean “miss the target.” When a person sins, he “misses” the target, that is, he fails to reach God’s standard. A person can also offend God by not doing what God wants him to do.
It is helpful to translate “sin” with a general term that can include any wrong act that a person does against God. Here are problems to avoid:
The term should not imply that only serious crimes such as murder or stealing are sins. Other offenses such as gossip and greed are also sins.
The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.
Some ways to translate sin are:
a wrong act
an offense against God
an evil deed
In some languages, it is more natural to express “sin” as a verb. For example:
it causes the person to sin
and sin, when it is full-grown,
Then, when the sin also grows/matures,
Then, when he grows up doing the sin,
Then they continue to sin until it becomes habitual and fully developed.
sin, when it is full-grown: This continues the metaphor and personification. When a person continues to sin, it develops or grows into a habit. This is compared to a child becoming mature or fully grown.
Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:
Keep the metaphor. For example:
When sin grows up (GW)
Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
then it is as if sin grows up
Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
he grows up doing the sin
Translate the meaning. For example:
when he continues to habitually sin
gives birth to death.
it is like sin gives birth to death.
he has/gets eternal punishment.
Finally, they die forever.
gives birth to death: This continues the metaphor and personification. When a person continues to sin until it controls him, it will eventually lead to eternal death. This is compared to the grown-up child becoming pregnant and giving birth to a baby of her own. It is the opposite of the life with God mentioned in 1:12c.
Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:
Keep the metaphor. For example:
it gives birth to death. (GW)
Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
and it is like sin gives birth to death.
Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
and has/gets eternal punishment
Translate the meaning. For example:
and he eventually dies eternally.
and the result is eternal death.
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-time-sequential
εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν ἡ δέ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα ἀποκύει θάνατον)
James uses the word Then to indicate that what he describes in this verse happens after something that he described in the previous verse. However, he does not mean that this happens after a person is “dragged away and enticed,” as he said at the end of that verse. Rather, he means that it happens after a person begins to entertain the temptation of a wrong “desire,” as he said at the beginning of that verse. It may be helpful to your readers to use the word “when” to indicate this. Alternate translation: [When desire has conceived, it bears sin]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / personification
εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν ἡ δέ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα ἀποκύει θάνατον)
James continues to speak of desire as if it were a living thing, in this case as if it were a woman who became pregnant and gave birth. Alternate translation: [If a person entertains wrong desires, he will become more and more inclined to sin until he finally does commit sin]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / personification
ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα, ἀποκύει θάνατον
the ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν ἡ δέ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα ἀποκύει θάνατον)
James also speaks of sin as if it were a living thing, a baby girl who grew up to be a woman who also became pregnant and gave birth. Alternate translation: [and if he continues to sin, it will affect more and more of his life until it causes his death]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
ἀποκύει θάνατον
˓is˒_bringing_forth death
Here, death could mean: (1) spiritual death, that is, separation from God. This is the interpretation in UST. (2) physical death. Alternate translation: [causes the person to die]