12 "Blessed
is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he
will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those
who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted,
“I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He
Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted
when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when
it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved
brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect
gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom
there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might
be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures."