The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, with the Apocryphal books,

JAMES.

Here bigynneth a prolog on the pistlis of cristen feith, that ben seuene in ordre [Here biginnith a prologe on the epistlis of cristen feith, that ben seuene in ordre, that oon of James, ij. of Petre, iij. of Joon, and oon of Jude. E. The prolog of the vii. epistlis. N. Prologus. T. Prologe on the smale pistlis. c. The prolog. k. No initial rubric in CIKMQRUXa.] .

The ordre of the [Om. b.] seuene epistlis, whiche ben clepid canonysid, is not so among the Grekis, that fulli saueren the feith, and suwen the riȝt ordre of the [Om. K pr. m. b.] epistlis [pistlis k.] , as it is

foundun in Latyn bokis. For for [Om. EMTab sec. m. e sec. m. gkα. bi N.] as myche as Petre is the firste in the [Om. Tk sec. m.] ordre of the [Om. Q.] apostlis, his epistlis [pistles k.] ben the firste of hem in ordre; but as we not long sithen correctiden the euangelistis to the lijf [line A sec. m. N sec. m. weye O.] of treuthe, so we han set these, thourȝ the help of God, in her owne ordre. For the firste of hem is `an epistle [a pistle Ihk.] of James, two of Petris, thre of Jones, and oon of Jude. The whiche epistlis [pistles TkO.] , if thei hadden be treuli turned [yturned a.] of the [Om. ThkO.] translatouris in to Latyn speche, as thei weren maad of the apostlis, thei schulden haue maad do doute to [of O.] the [Om. EQgα.] rederis, ne [ne the CEIKMQRUXabcefghkαβ. neithir N. ne no T.] variaunce of wordis schulde not haue inpugnid it silf; nameli, in that place in the firste epistle [pistle XbhkO.] of Joon, where we reden of the [Om. K pr. m.] oonhed of the Trynite, where we fynden that ther hath be greet errour of vntrewe translatouris fro the treuthe of the [Om. gk.] feith, while thei setten in her translaciouns oneli the names [name XO.] of thre thingis, that is, of water, of blood, and of spirit [the spirit CEKMNPQRTUbcefhα.] , and leueth [leuen T.] the witnessing of the Fadur, and of the Sone, and of the Spirit [Holi Goost T.] , `in which witnesing oure comun bileue is most strengthid, and it [Om. gk pr. m.] is preued, that there is oon substaunce of Godhed of the Fadir, and of the Sone, and of the Hooli Spirit [Om. T.] . But in othere epistlis [pistles h.] hou myche oure translacioun dyuersith fro otheris, Y leeue to the prudence of the [Om. b.] rederis. But thou, Goddis maide [mayden T.] , Eustachium, while thou enquerist [querist T.] bisili of me [Om. T.] the treuthe of scripture, thou puttist out myn elde to be gnawe of [with R.] enuyouse mennus teeth, whiche seyn, that Y am an [Om. EIKNTabeoα.] apeirer [a peirer IKeα.] of hooli scripturis. But Y [Om. b pr. m.] in such a werk drede [Y drede b.] not the enuye of myn enemyes, ne [neither T.] Y schal not [Om. c sec. m.] denye to hem, that axen [asken aO.] the treuthe of hooli scripture [scripturis hk.] .

Jerom on this pistle seith al this [Jerom on thes pistlis seith al this in his prologe. C. This seith Jerom on these epistlis that folowen. E. Heere endith the prologe, and bigynnith the epistle. I. Jerom in his prolog seith al this; se now the pistel of James. K. Jerom in his prolog on these apostlis and epistlis suynge seith this. N. Jerom in his prologe on these epistlis seith this. QC. Thus endith the prologe, and bigynneth the pistle. R. Jerom in his prologe on these seuene epistlis, seith al this. X. Here eendith the prologe, and bigynnith the pistil of James. eg. This seith Jerom in his prolog on this pistle. h. Jerom on these pistlis seith al this. O. Jerom in his prolog on this pistle seith this. α. No final rubric in Tafk. ] .

[Here bigynneth the pistle of James [James. U. No initial rubric in CEIKPQR Xbceghoα.] .] CAP. I.

[verse 1] James, the seruaunt of God, and of oure Lord Jhesu Crist, to the twelue kinredis, that ben in scatering abrood, helthe. [verse 2] My britheren, deme ȝe al ioye, whanne ȝe fallen in to diuerse tempta|ciouns, [verse 3] witynge, that the preuyng of [verse 4] ȝoure feith worchith pacience; and pa|cience hath a perfit werk, that ȝe be

perfit and hole, and faile in no thing. [verse 5] And if ony of ȝou nedith wisdom, axe he of God, which ȝyueth to alle men largeli, and vpbreidith not; and it schal be ȝou|un to hym. [verse 6] But axe [aske aO.] he [ȝe E. Om. Q.] in feith, and doute no thing; for he that doutith [doutith; of Goddis power, ether of Goddis wille. If a man doutith for his owne defaute, lest he axe in vnsufficient maner, the heering of his axing is not lettid for such douting. a meke brother; that is, abiect and born doun ei|ther oppressid. in his enhauns|ing; that schal be in heuenly thingis. a ryche man haue glorie in his lownesse; the Glose seith here, that this is seid in scorn, and the lettre suynge acordith herto. for as the flour of hey, etc.; that is, his power schal faile soone. Lire here. ve.] , is lijk to a wawe of the see, which is moued and borun a boute of wynde [the wynd KRagk.] . [verse 7] Therfor gesse not the ilke man, that he schal take ony thing of the Lord. [verse 8] A man dowble in soule is vnstable in alle hise weies. [verse 9] And [Om. b.] a meke brother haue [verse 10] glorie in his enhaunsyng, and a riche man in his lownesse; for as the flour of gras he schal passe. [verse 11] The sunne roos vp with heete, and driede the gras, and the flour of it felde doun, and the fairnesse of his chere perischide; and so a riche man welewith in hise weies. [verse 12] Blessid is the man, that suffrith temptacioun; for whanne he schal be preued, he schal res|seyue the [a Ek.] coroun of lijf, which God biheȝte [hath bihiȝt α.] to men that louen hym. [verse 13] No man whanne he is temptid [whanne he is temptid; that is, brouȝt to synne, bi tempt|acioun. God is not a temptere of yuele thingis; but of goode thingis oonly, as in xxij. c^o. of Genesis, God temptide Abra|ham, that his obedience schulde be maad knowen to othere men, and be ȝouen to hem in to en|saumple. he temptith noo man; that is, indusith not to do synne. ech best ȝifte; that is, good of me|rit, that makith a man worthi euerlastinge lijf. perfit ȝifte; that is, good of glorie. Lire here. ve.] , seie, that he is temptid of God; for whi God is not a temptere of yuele thingis, for he temptith no man. [verse 14] But ech man is temptid, drawun and stirid of his owne coueiting. [verse 15] Aftirward coueityng, whanne it hath conseyued, bringith forth synne; but synne, whanne it is fillid [fulfillid KR.] , gendrith deth. [verse 16] Therfor, my most dereworthe britheren, nyle ȝe erre. [verse 17] Ech good ȝifte, and ech perfit ȝifte is from aboue, and cometh doun fro the fadir of liȝtis, anentis whom is noon other [ouer EK sec. m. b pr. m. g pr. m. α.] chaungyng, ne ouer|schadewyng of reward [ether wilinesse K marg.] . [verse 18] For wilfulli he bigat vs bi the [Om. K pr. m.] word of treuthe, that we be a bigynnyng of his creature. [verse 19] Wite ȝe, my britheren moost loued, be ech man swift to here, but [and K.] slow to speke, [verse 20] and slow to wraththe; for the wraththe

of man worchith not the riȝtwisnesse of God. [verse 21] For which thing caste ȝe awei al vnclennesse, and plentee of malice, and in myldenesse resseyue ȝe the word that is plauntid [ether prentid K marg.] , that may saue ȝoure soulis. [verse 22] But be ȝe doeris of the word, and not hereris oneli, disseiuynge ȝou [ȝour E.] silf. [verse 23] For if ony man is an herere of the word, and not a doere, this [he this I.] schal be licned to a man that biholdith the cheer of his birthe [verse 24] in a mirour; for he bihelde hym silf, and wente awei, and anoon he forȝat which he was. [verse 25] But he that biholdith in [into R.] the lawe of perfit fredom, and dwellith in it, and is not maad a forȝetful herere, but a doere of werk, this [he this I.] schal be blessid in his dede. [verse 26] And if ony man gessith hym silf to be religiouse [religiouse; that is, a veri and perfit Cris|ten man. is veyn; for it ledith not to due ende. Lire here. ve.] , and refreyneth not his tunge, but disseyueth his herte, the religioun of him is veyn. [verse 27] A clene religioun, and an [Om. Eeg.] vnwemmed anentis God and the fadir, is this, to visite fadirles [that is, to vse himself in werkis of mersy anentis thi neiȝbore, and werkis of clen|nesse aȝens himself. Lire here. v.] and modirles children, and widewis in her tribulacioun, and to [Om. k pr. m.] kepe hym silf vndefoulid fro this world.

CAP. II.

[verse 1] Mi britheren, nyle ȝe haue the feith of oure Lord Jhesu Crist of glorie, in accep|cioun of persoones. [verse 2] For if a man `that hath [hauynge k.] a goldun ring, and in a feire cloth|ing, cometh in ȝoure cumpany, and a [verse 3] pore man entrith in a foul clothing, and if ȝe biholden in to hym that is clothid with clere [clene k.] clothing, and if [Om. k pr. m.] ȝe seie to hym, Sitte thou here wel; but to the

pore man ȝe seien, Stonde thou there, ethir sitte vndur the stool of my feet; [verse 4] whether ȝe demen not anentis ȝou [ȝour E.] silf, and ben maad domesmen of wickid thouȝtis? [verse 5] Heere ȝe, my moost dere|worthe britheren, whethir God chees not pore men in this world, riche in feith, and eiris of the kyngdom, that God bi|hiȝte to men that louen him? [verse 6] But ȝe han dispisid the pore man. Whether riche men oppressen not ȝou bi power, and thei drawen ȝou to domes? [verse 7] Whether thei blasfemen not the good name, that is clepid to help on ȝou? [verse 8] Netheles if ȝe performen the kingis lawe, bi scripturis, Thou schalt loue thi neiȝbour as thi silf, ȝe don wel. [verse 9] But if ȝe taken persones, ȝe worchen synne, and ben repreued of the lawe, as trespasseris. [verse 10] And [Om. gk pr. m.] who euere kepith al the lawe, but offendith in oon, he is maad gilti of [in k.] alle [he is maad gilty of alle; as to payne of harm, either dampnacioun, which is want|ing of Goddis siȝt, but he getith gretter peyne of wit, either of feel|ing, that doth mo trespassis; and that this is vndirstonden of the peyne of harm, the lettre schewith su|ynge, whanne it is seid, for he that seide, Thou schalt not do leccherie, &c. Ve. for alle the heestis ben of oo God, and therfore he is offendid, for the breking of oon. Lire here. v.] . [verse 11] For he that seide, Thou schalt do no letcherie, seide also, Thou schalt not sle; that if thou doist not [no Eb.] letcherie, but thou sleest, thou art maad trespassour of [aȝens k.] the lawe. [verse 12] Thus speke ȝe, and thus do ȝe, as bigynnynge to be demyd bi the lawe of [of perfite R.] fredom. [verse 13] For whi dom with out merci is to hym, that doith no mercy; but merci aboue reisith dom. [verse 14] Mi britheren, what schal it pro|fite, if ony man seie that he hath feith, but he hath not the [Om. Q.] werkis? whether feith schal mowe saue hym? [verse 15] And if a brother ethir [or ER.] sister be nakid, and han [verse 16] nede of ech daies lyuelode, and if ony of ȝou seie to hem, Go ȝe in pees, be ȝe maad hoot, and be ȝe fillid; but if ȝe ȝyuen not to hem tho thingis that ben neces|sarie to bodi [the bodi Igk. here bodi R.] , what schal it profite? [verse 17] So also feith, if it hath [haue Rgk.] not [no a.] werkis, is deed in it silf. But summan schal seie [schal seie; that is, may seie resonably in repreuinge him that bi|leeueth that feith withoute werkis saueth. thou hast feith bi thi seiynge, schewe thou to me thi feith without werkis, as if he seie, Thou maist not, but I may, for I haue werkis. Lire here. ve.] , [verse 18] Thou

hast feith, and Y haue werkis; schewe thou to me thi feith with out werkis, and Y schal schewe to thee my feith of werkis. [verse 19] Thou bileuest, that o God is; thou doist wel; and deuelis bileuen, and tremblen. [verse 20] But wolt thou wite, thou veyn man, that feith with out werkis is idul? [verse 21] Whether [Wher EI.] Abraham, oure fadir, was not iustified of werkis, offringe Ysaac, his sone, on the auter? [verse 22] Therfor thou seest, that feith wrouȝte with hise werkis, and his feith was fillid of werkis. [verse 23] And the scripture was fillid, seiynge, Abraham bileuede to God, and it was arettid to hym to riȝtwisnesse, and he was clepid the freend of God. [verse 24] Ȝe seen that a man is iustified of werkis, and not of feith oneli. [verse 25] In lijk maner, and [Om. R.] whether also Raab, the hoore, was not iustified of werkis, and resseyuede the [Om. a.] messangeris, and sente hem [Om. k pr. m.] out bi anothir weie? [verse 26] For as the bodi with out spirit is deed, so also feith with out werkis is deed.

CAP. III.

[verse 1] Mi britheren, nyle ȝe be maad many maistris, witynge that ȝe taken the more doom [dom; that is, dampnacioun. This is seid aȝens presump|tuous maistres, that techen that that they kun|nen not, and maken many men for to erre, and bi this they getten many|foold dampna|cioun. Lire here. ve.] . [verse 2] For alle we offenden in many thingis. If ony man offendith not in word, this is a perfit man; for also he may lede aboute al the bodi with a bridil. [verse 3] For if we putten bridlis `in to [in K pr. m. to R.] horsis [hors h.] mouthis, for to consente to vs, and we leden aboute al the bodi of hem. [verse 4] And lo! schippis, whanne thei ben grete, and ben dryuun of stronge [grete I.] wyndis, ȝit thei ben borun about of a litil gouernaile, where the meuyng of the gouernour wole. [verse 5] So also the tunge is but a litil membre, and reisith grete thingis [reisith grete thingis; that is, stirith greete yuels. hou myche fijer; that is, how litil fijer. oure yuel tunge is fijer, kyndling stryues and de|batis and other yuelis. Ve. the vniuersite of wickidnesse; that is, an yuel tunge is the vniuersite of wickidnesse. V. enflawmed of helle; that is, of the deuel, which is asingn|ed to helle. enflawmeth the wheel of oure birthe; that is, the cours of oure lijf, which is licned to a wheel, that by|gynnith and endith in the same poynt; so a man is born vnmyȝty and vnkunnyng; and if he diȝeth kindely, he goth aȝen to the same staat bi comun cours. Lire here. ve.] . Lo! hou litil

fier brenneth a ful greet wode. [verse 6] And oure tunge is fier, the vniuersite of wickid|nesse. The tunge is ordeyned in oure membris, which defoulith al the bodi; and it is enflawmed of helle, and en|flawmeth [brenneth P] the wheel of oure birthe. [verse 7] And al the kynde of beestis, and of foulis, and of serpentis, and of othere is chastisid, and tho ben maad tame of mannus kinde; [verse 8] but no man mai chastise the tunge, for it is an vnpesible yuel, and ful of deedli venym [ful of dedly venym and of bacbitinge, for a bacbitere venemith him of whom he bacbitith bi yuel fame, and that man that it heerith glad|ly and himself, by synne. Lire here. ve.] . [verse 9] In it we blessen God, the fadir, and in it we cursen men, that ben maad to the licnesse of God. [verse 10] Of the same mouth passith forth blessing and cursing. My britheren, it bihoueth not that these thingis be don so. [verse 11] Whether a welle of the same hoole bringith forth [Om. K pr. m.] swete and salt watir? [verse 12] My britheren, whether a fige tre may make grapis, ethir a vyne figus? So nethir salt watir mai make swete watir. [verse 13] Who is wijs, and tauȝt among ȝou? schewe he of good lyuyng his worching, in myldenesse of his wis|dom. [verse 14] That if ȝe han bitter enuye, and stryuyngis ben in ȝoure hertis, nyle ȝe haue glorye, and be lyeris aȝens the treuthe. [verse 15] For this wisdom is not fro aboue comynge doun, but ertheli, and [Om. Rk.] beestli, and feendli. [verse 16] For where is enuye and strijf, there is vnstidfastnesse and al schrewid werk. [verse 17] But wisdom that is from aboue, first it is chast, aftirward pesible [it is pesible I.] , mylde, able to be counseilid, con|sentinge to goode thingis, ful of merci and of goode fruytis, demynge with out feynyng. [verse 18] And the fruyt [fruytis A pr. m. Cabcehk sec. m.] of riȝtwis|nesse is sowun in pees, to men that maken pees.

CAP. IV.

[verse 1] Wherof ben batelis and cheestis [or chidingis C sec. m. chidingis RO.] among ȝou? Whether not of ȝoure coueitisis, that fiȝten in ȝoure membris? [verse 2] Ȝe coueit|en, and ȝe han not; ȝe sleen, and ȝe han enuye, and ȝe moun not gete. Ȝe chiden, and maken batel; and ȝe han not, for [for that I.] ȝe axen [asken ao.] not. [verse 3] Ȝe axen [asken ao.] , and ȝe resseyuen not; for that ȝe axen [asken ao.] yuele, as ȝe schewen opynli in ȝoure coueitisis. [verse 4] Auowtreris, witen not ȝe, that the frenschip of this world is enemye to God? Therfor who euere [that k.] wole be frend [the frend k.] of this world, is maad the [Om. XO.] enemye of [to O.] God. [verse 5] Whether ȝe gessen, that the scripture seith veynli, The spirit that dwellith in ȝou, coueitith to enuye? [verse 6] But he ȝyueth the more grace; for which thing he seith, God withstondith proude men, but [Om. gk pr. m.] to meke men he ȝyueth grace. [verse 7] Therfor be ȝe suget to God; but withstonde ȝe the deuel, and he schal fle fro ȝou. [verse 8] Neiȝe ȝe to God, and he schal neiȝe to ȝou. Ȝe synneris, clense ȝe [the CEIKUabcek pr. m. Oαβ. ȝe the M.] hondis, and ȝe double in soule [soulis a.] , purge ȝe the hertis. [verse 9] Be ȝe wretchis, and weile ȝe; ȝoure leiȝyng be turned in to weping, and ioye in to so|rewe of herte. [verse 10] Be ȝe mekid in the siȝt of the Lord, and he schal enhaunse ȝou. [verse 11] My britheren, nyle ȝe bacbite ech othere. He that bacbitith his brothir, ethir that demeth his brothir, bacbitith the lawe, and demeth the lawe. And if thou demest the lawe, thou art not a doere of the lawe, but a domesman. [verse 12] But oon is makere of the lawe, and iuge, that may lese, and delyuere. [verse 13] And who art thou, that demest thi neiȝbore? Lo! now ȝe, that seien, To dai ethir to morewe we

schulen go in to thilke citee, and there we schulen dwelle a ȝeer, and we schulen make marchaundise, and we schulen [verse 14] make wynning; whiche witen not, what is to ȝou in the morewe. [verse 15] For what is ȝoure lijf? A [As EQcghkoα.] smoke apperinge at a [Om. a.] litil [litil tyme k pr. m.] , and [Om. O.] aftirward it schal be wastid. Therfor that ȝe seie, If the Lord wole, and if we liuen, we schulen do this thing, ether that thing. [verse 16] And now ȝe maken ful out ioye in ȝoure pridis; euery siche ioye [ioying EIbceghkoαβ.] is wickyd. [verse 17] Therfor it is synne to hym, that kan do good, and doith not.

CAP. V.

[verse 1] Do [Doith EQcgk.] now, ȝe riche men, wepe ȝe, ȝellinge in ȝoure wretchidnessis that schulen come to ȝou. [verse 2] Ȝoure richessis ben rotun, and ȝoure clothis ben etun of [with k.] mouȝtis. [verse 3] Ȝoure gold and siluer hath rustid, and the rust of hem schal be to ȝou in to witnessyng, and schal ete ȝoure fleischis, as fier. Ȝe han tresourid to ȝou wraththe in the last daies. [verse 4] Lo! the hire of ȝoure werke men, that repiden ȝoure feeldis, which is fraudid [defraudid hk.] of ȝou, crieth; and the cry of hem hath entrid in to the eeris of the Lord of oostis. [verse 5] Ȝe han ete on the erthe, and in ȝoure letcheries ȝe han nurschid ȝoure hertis. In the dai of [verse 6] sleyng ȝe brouȝten, and slowen the iust man, and he aȝenstood not ȝou. [verse 7] Therfor, britheren, be ȝe pacient, til to [in to k pr. m.] the com|yng of the Lord. Lo! an erthetilier abidith preciouse fruyt of the erthe, pa|ciently suffrynge, til he resseyue `tymeful and lateful [tidi and ripe A sec. m. marg. I. tideful and lateful EQcgα. tymeful tidy and ripe and lateful K pr. m. tymeful and lateful, ether tidi and ripe X.] fruyt [fruyt, that is tidi and ripe U.] . [verse 8] And be ȝe [Om. g.] pacient,

and conferme ȝe ȝoure hertis, for the comyng of the Lord schal neiȝe. [verse 9] Bri|theren, nyle ȝe be sorewful ech to other, that ȝe be not demed. Lo! the iuge stondith niȝ bifor the ȝate. [verse 10] Britheren, take ȝe ensaumple of yuel goyng out, and of long abidyng, and trauel [of trauel ko pr. m.] , and of pacience, the [of R.] prophetis, that speken to ȝou in the name of the Lord. [verse 11] Lo! we blessen hem that suffriden [suffren a.] . Ȝe herden [han herd I.] the `suffring, ethir [Om. R.] pacience [the pacience k.] , of Joob, and ȝe sayn the ende of the Lord, for the Lord is merciful, and doynge merci. [verse 12] Bifor alle thingis, my britheren, nyle ȝe swere [Bifore alle thingis nyle ȝe swere; that is, sette ȝe not an ooth bifore al ȝoure wordis and biheestis. This is seid to remeue the er|rour of hem that seiden, that thi ooth owith to be vsid ofte, for it is seid in X. c^o. of Deut^o. Thou schalt swere bi the name of God; for as medicyne is not souȝt, no but to helpe sykenesse; so it is of an ooth; for it is not souȝt, no but to helpe de|faute, whanne oo man bileeu|eth not to an|other, for me schal not swere, no but in caas of nede to con|fermyng of treuthe. To swere bi a crea|ture bi itself is vnleeful. vndir dom; that is, dampnacioun bi ofte trewe swering in fall|inge into false swering. Ve. in 23 c^o. of Ecc^ci. a man that swerith myche schal be fillid with wick|idnesse. Lire here. v.] , nether bi heuene, nether bi erthe, nethir bi what euere other ooth. But be ȝoure word Ȝhe, ȝhe, Nay, nay, that ȝe fallen not vndir doom. [verse 13] And if ony of ȝou is sorewful, preye he with pacient soule, and seie he a salm. [verse 14] If ony of ȝou is sijk, lede he in preestis of the chirche, and preie thei for hym, and anoynte [verse 15] with [thei him with K sec. m. R. him with k.] oile in the name of the Lord; and the preier of feith schal saue the sijk man, and the Lord schal make hym liȝt; and if he be in synnes, thei schulen be forȝouun to hym. [verse 16] Therfor knouleche ȝe ech to othere ȝoure synnes, and preye ȝe ech for othere, that ȝe be sauyd. For the contynuel preyer of a iust man is myche worth. [verse 17] Elye was a deedli man lijk vs [to us R.] , and in preier he preiede, that it schulde not reyne on the erthe, and it reynede not thre ȝeeris [ȝeer I.] and sixe mone|this. [verse 18] And eftsoone he preiede, and heuene ȝaf reyn, and the erthe ȝaf his fruyt. [verse 19] And, britheren, if ony of ȝou errith fro trewthe, and ony conuertith [verse 20] hym, he owith to wite, that he that makith a synner to be turned fro the

errour of his weye, schal saue the soule of hym fro deth, and keuereth [keuere k.] the multi|tude of synnes.

Here endith the pistle of James, and here bigynneth the firste pistle of Petir [From CMQUXabcghoα. Heere endith the epistle of James, and biginnith the firste epistle of Petre. I. Here endeth the pistle of James; se now the firste pistle of Petre. K. No final rubric in AERehk.] .