James 2:5

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world [to be] rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἀκούσατε, ἀδελφοί μου ἀγαπητοί, οὐχ ὁ Θεὸς ἐξελέξατο τοὺς πτωχοὺς τοῦ κόσμου τούτου πλουσίους ἐν πίστει, καὶ κληρονόμους τῆς βασιλείας ἧς ἐπηγγείλατο τοῖς ἀγαπῶσιν αὐτόν;

Transliteration

Akousate, adelphoi my agapētoi, not the Theos exelexato the ptōchous of the kosmou this plousious in pistei, and klēronomous of the basileias which epēngeilato to the agapōsin him?

Grammar Details

*Akousate*: aorist, active, imperative, 2nd person plural - listen/hear
*adelphoi*: vocative, masculine, plural - brothers
μου: genitive, first person, singular - my
*agapētoi*: vocative, masculine, plural - beloved
οὐχ: negative particle (interrogative) - not
ὁ *Theos*: nominative, masculine, singular - God
*exelexato*: aorist, middle, indicative, 3rd person singular - chose/selected
τοὺς *ptōchous*: accusative, masculine, plural - the poor
τοῦ *kosmou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of the world
τούτου: genitive, masculine, singular, demonstrative - this
*plousious*: accusative, masculine, plural - rich
ἐν *pistei*: dative, feminine, singular - in faith
*klēronomous*: accusative, masculine, plural - heirs
τῆς *basileias*: genitive, feminine, singular - of the kingdom
ἧς: genitive, feminine, singular, relative pronoun - which
*epēngeilato*: aorist, middle, indicative, 3rd person singular - he promised
τοῖς *agapōsin*: dative, masculine, plural, present participle - to those loving
αὐτόν: accusative, masculine, singular - him

Word Meanings

*Akousate*: listen/hear/pay attention
*adelphoi*: brothers/fellow believers/siblings in faith
*agapētoi*: beloved/dear ones
*Theos*: God/deity
*exelexato*: chose/selected/elected
*ptōchous*: poor/destitute/beggars
*kosmou*: world/universe/realm/order
*plousious*: rich/wealthy
*pistei*: faith/belief/trust
*klēronomous*: heirs/inheritors
*basileias*: kingdom/reign/rule
*epēngeilato*: promised/pledged
*agapōsin*: loving/cherishing

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

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Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Matt 5:3 : 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 12:21 : 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Luke 6:20 : 20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [are] ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Jas 1:12 : 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which [the Lord] promised to them that love him.
Luke 12:32 : 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Rev 2:9 : 9 I know thy {G2041} {G2532} tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they art not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
1 Pet 1:4 : 4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Rev 3:18 : 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
Rev 21:7 : 7 He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
1 Tim 6:18 : 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
2 Tim 4:8 : 8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
1 Cor 1:26-28 : 26 For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; 28 and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, [yea] and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are:
1 Cor 2:9 : 9 but as it is written, Things which {G3739} eye saw not, and {G3756} ear heard not, And [which] entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.
2 Cor 8:9 : 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.
Matt 25:34 : 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Prov 8:17-21 : 17 I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me; [Yea], durable wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; And my revenue than choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice; 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, And that I may fill their treasuries.
Prov 8:32 : 32 Now therefore, [my] sons, hearken unto me; For blessed are they that keep my ways.
Isa 14:32 : 32 What then shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah hath founded Zion, and in her shall the afflicted of his people take refuge.
Isa 29:19 : 19 The meek also shall increase their joy in Jehovah, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Zeph 3:12 : 12 But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall take refuge in the name of Jehovah.
Zech 11:7 : 7 So I fed the flock of slaughter, verily the poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.
Zech 11:11 : 11 And it was broken in that day; and thus the poor of the flock that gave heed unto me knew that it was the word of Jehovah.
Mark 7:14 : 14 And he called to him the multitude again, and said unto them, Hear me all of you, and understand:
Matt 11:5 : 5 the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them.
Exod 20:6 : 6 and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Judg 9:7 : 7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
1 Sam 2:30 : 30 Therefore Jehovah, the God of Israel, saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now Jehovah saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
1 Kgs 22:28 : 28 And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, Jehovah hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, ye peoples, all of you.
Job 34:10 : 10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
Job 34:19 : 19 That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands.
Job 38:14 : 14 It is changed as clay under the seal; And [all things] stand forth as a garment:
Prov 7:24 : 24 Now therefore, [my] sons, hearken unto me, And attend to the words of my mouth.
Eph 1:18 : 18 having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, {G2532} what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 3:8 : 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
1 Thess 2:12 : 12 to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.
2 Thess 1:5 : 5 [None which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
1 Cor 3:21-23 : 21 Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours; 22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23 and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
2 Cor 4:15 : 15 For all things [are] for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.
2 Cor 6:10 : 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.
Luke 16:22 : 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.
Luke 16:25 : 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish.
Luke 22:29 : 29 and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me,
John 7:48 : 48 Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?
Acts 7:2 : 2 And he said, {G435} Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
Rom 8:17 : 17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified with [him].
2 Tim 4:18 : 18 {G2532} The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Heb 11:26 : 26 accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward.
Jas 1:9 : 9 But let the brother of low degree glory in his high estate:
Jas 1:16 : 16 Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.
Luke 9:57-58 : 57 And {G1096} as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, {G2962} I will follow thee whithersoever {G302} thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
2 Pet 1:11 : 11 for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Jas 2:6-7
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6But ye have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and themselves drag you before the judgment-seats?
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1 Cor 1:26-28
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26For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:
27but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;
28and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, [yea] and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are:
Jas 2:1-4
4 verses
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1My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons.
2For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing;
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Luke 6:20
71%
20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [are] ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
2 Cor 8:9
71%
9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.
Jas 1:9-10
2 verses
71%
9But let the brother of low degree glory in his high estate:
10and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
Jas 5:1-2
2 verses
70%
1Come now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you.
2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
Prov 22:1-2
2 verses
69%
1A [good] name is rather to be chosen than great riches, [And] loving favor rather than silver and gold.
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Matt 5:3
69%
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Ps 41:1
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1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil.
1 Tim 6:17
69%
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1 Thess 1:4
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4knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election,
Prov 14:20
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1 Sam 2:7-8
2 verses
68%
7Jehovah maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, he also lifteth up.
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Prov 14:31
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31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.
Prov 28:6
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6Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in [his] ways, though he be rich.
1 Pet 2:9
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Prov 18:23
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23The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
Job 34:19
67%
19That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands.
Prov 22:16
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16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [gain], [And] he that giveth to the rich, [shall come] only to want.
Prov 13:7-8
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7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.
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Ps 49:2
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Jas 1:12
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Jude 1:17
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Isa 66:5
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2 Thess 1:5
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1 John 3:1
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1Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and [such] we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Jas 1:5
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Deut 15:7
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Prov 19:17
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Jas 2:15
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15If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food,
Ps 113:7
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Luke 16:11
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19Ye know [this], my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
2 Cor 6:10
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10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.
Deut 15:4
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4Howbeit there shall be no poor with thee; (for Jehovah will surely bless thee in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it;)