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# Hebrews 01 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
This chapter describes how Jesus is more important to us than the angels are.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 1:5, 7-13, which is from the Old Testament.
#### "Our ancestors"
The writer wrote this letter to Christians who had grown up as Jews. This is why the letter is called "Hebrews."
### Important figures of speech in this chapter
#### Rhetorical questions
The author uses rhetorical questions as a way of proving Jesus is better than the angels. Both he and the readers know the answers to the questions, and the writer knows that as the readers think about the answers to the questions, they will realize that God's Son is more important than any of the angels.
#### Poetry
Jewish teachers, like the Old Testament prophets, would put their most important teachings in the form of poetry so that the hearers would be able to learn and remember them.
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 01:01 Notes](./01.md)__
* __[Hebrews intro](../front/intro.md)__
__| [>>](../02/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 02 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 2:6-8, 12-13, which is from the Old Testament.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### Brothers
The author probably uses the term "brothers" to refer to Christians who grew up as Jews.
* __[Hebrews 02:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../01/intro.md) | [>>](../03/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 03 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
This chapter is about how Jesus is better than Moses, the greatest Israelite in the Old Testament.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 3:7-11,15, which is from the Old Testament.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### Brothers
The author probably uses the term "brothers" to refer to Christians who grew up as Jews.
### Important figures of speech in this chapter
#### Harden your hearts
A person who hardens his heart is a person who will not listen to or obey God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])
#### Rhetorical questions
The author uses rhetorical questions as a way of warning his readers. Both he and the readers know the answers to the questions, and the writer knows that as the readers think about the answers to the questions, they will realize that they need to listen to God and obey him.
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 03:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../02/intro.md) | [>>](../04/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 04 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
This chapter tells why Jesus is the greatest high priest.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 4:3-4, 7, which is from the Old Testament.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### God's rest
The word "rest" seems to refer to at least two things in this chapter. It refers to a place or time when God will allow his people to rest from their work ([Hebrews 4:3](../../heb/04/03.md)), and it refers to God resting on the seventh day ([Hebrews 4:4](../../heb/04/04.md)).
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 04:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../03/intro.md) | [>>](../05/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 05 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
This chapter is a continuation of the teaching of the previous chapter.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 5:5-6.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### High priest
Only a high priest could offer sacrifices so that God could forgive sins, so Jesus had to be a high priest. The law of Moses commanded that the high priest be from the tribe of Levi, but Jesus was from the tribe of Judah. God made him a priest like the priest Melchizedek, who lived at the time of Abraham, before there was a tribe of Levi.
### Important figures of speech in this chapter
#### Milk and solid food
The writer speaks of Christians who are only able to understand simple things about Jesus as if they were babies, who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 05:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../04/intro.md) | [>>](../06/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 06 General Notes
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### Abrahamic Covenant
In the covenant that God made with Abraham, God promised to make Abraham's descendants into a great nation. He also promised to protect Abraham's descendants and to give them land of their own. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/covenant]])
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 06:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../05/intro.md) | [>>](../07/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 07 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 7:17, 21, which is from the Old Testament.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### High priest
Only a high priest could offer sacrifices so that God could forgive sins, so Jesus had to be a high priest. The law of Moses commanded that the high priest be from the tribe of Levi, but Jesus was from the tribe of Judah. God made him a priest like the priest Melchizedek, who lived at the time of Abraham, before there was a tribe of Levi.
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 07:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../06/intro.md) | [>>](../08/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 08 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
The author finishes describing how and why Jesus is the most important high priest. Then he begins to speak about how the new covenant is better to the covenant God made with Moses. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/covenant]])
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 8:8-12, which is from the Old Testament.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### New covenant
The author tells how Jesus has established a new covenant that is better than the covenant that God established with the Israelites. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/covenant]])
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 08:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../07/intro.md) | [>>](../09/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 09 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
This chapter describes how Jesus is better than the tabernacle and all its laws and rules. This chapter will be difficult to understand if the first five books of the Old Testament have not yet been translated.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### Will
A will is a legal document that describes what will happen to a person's property after he dies.
#### Blood
In the Old Testament, God had commanded the Israelites to offer sacrifices so that he would forgive their sins. Before they could offer these sacrifices, they had to kill animals and then offer not only the animal's body but also its blood. Shedding blood is a metaphor for killing an animal or person. Jesus offered his life, his blood, as a sacrifice when he allowed men to kill him. The writer of the Book of Hebrews is saying in this chapter that this sacrifice is better than the sacrifices of the Old Testament. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/covenant]])
#### Return of Christ
Jesus will return to finish the work that he began when he died so that God would forgive his people's sins. He will finish saving those people who are waiting for him. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/save]])
### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
#### First covenant
This refers to the covenant that God made with Moses. However, before he made this covenant, God had made a covenant with Abraham. But this was the first covenant that God had made with the people of Israel. You may decide to translate "the first covenant" as "the earlier covenant."
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 9:1](../../heb/09/01.md)__
__[<<](../08/intro.md) | [>>](../10/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 10 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
In this chapter, the writer finishes describing how Jesus's sacrifice was better than the sacrifices offered in the Temple. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 10:5-7, 15-17, 37-38, which is from the Old Testament.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### God's judgment and reward
Holy living is important for Christians. God will hold people accountable for how they lived their Christian lives. Even though there will not be eternal condemnation for Christians, ungodly actions do and will have consequences. In addition, faithful living will be rewarded. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/holy]], [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/godly]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faithful]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/reward]])
### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
#### "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins"
The sacrifices themselves had no redeeming power. They were effective because they were a display of faith, which was credited to the person offering the sacrifice. It is ultimately the sacrifice of Jesus that "takes away sins." (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/redeem]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])
#### "The covenant that I will make"
It is unclear whether this prophecy was being fulfilled as the author was writing or whether it was to occur later. The translator should try to avoid making a claim about the time this covenant begins. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/covenant]])
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 10:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../09/intro.md) | [>>](../11/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 11 General Notes
### Structure
The writer begins this chapter by telling what faith is. Then he gives many examples of people who had faith and how they lived.
### Important concepts in this chapter
#### Faith
In both the old and new covenants, God required faith. Some people with faith performed miracles and were very powerful. Other people with faith suffered greatly.
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 11:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../10/intro.md) | [>>](../12/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 12 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
After telling of the value of discipline, the author begins a series of exhortations. (See; [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/exhort]])
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 12:5-6, which is from the Old Testament.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### Discipline
God wants his people to do what is right. When they do what is wrong, he needs to correct or punish them. He does this just as earthly fathers correct and punish children whom they love. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/discipline]])
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 12:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../11/intro.md) | [>>](../13/intro.md)__

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# Hebrews 13 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
The author finishes the list of exhortations he began in chapter 12. Then he asks the readers to pray for him and ends the letter.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 13:6, which is from the Old Testament.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### Hospitality
God wants his people to invite other people to come to their homes to eat food and even to sleep. His people should do this even if they do not know well the people they are inviting. In the Old Testament, Abraham and his nephew Lot both showed hospitality to people they did not know. Abraham served a costly meal to them, and then Lot invited them to sleep in his house. They learned later that those people were actually angels.
## Links:
* __[Hebrews 13:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../12/intro.md) | __

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# Introduction to Hebrews
## Part 1: General Introduction
### Outline of the Book of Hebrews
1. Jesus is superior to God's prophets and angels (1:1-4:13)
1. Jesus is superior to the priests who serve in the temple in Jerusalem (4:14-7:28)
1. Jesus's ministry is superior to the old covenant that God made with his people (8:1-10:39)
1. What faith is like (11:1-40)
1. Encouragement to be faithful to God (12:1-29)
1. Concluding encouragements and greetings (13:1-25)
### Who wrote the Book of Hebrews?
No one knows who wrote Hebrews. Scholars have suggested several different people who could possibly be the author. Possible authors are Paul, Luke, and Barnabas. The date of writing is also not known. Most scholars think it was written before A.D. 70. Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70, but the writer of this letter spoke about Jerusalem as if it had not yet been destroyed.
### What is the Book of Hebrews about?
In the Book of Hebrews, the author shows that Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. The author did this in order to encourage the Jewish Christians and to explain that Jesus is better than anything that the old covenant had to offer. Jesus is the perfect High Priest. Jesus was also the perfect sacrifice. Animal sacrifices became useless because Jesus's sacrifice was once and for all time. Therefore, Jesus is the one and only way for people to be accepted by God.
### How should the title of this book be translated?
Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, "Hebrews." Or they may choose a clearer title, such as "The Letter to the Hebrews" or "A Letter to the Jewish Christians." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names]])
## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
### Can readers understand this book without knowing about the sacrifices and the work of the priests required in the Old Testament?
It would be very difficult for readers to understand this book without understanding these matters. Translators might consider explaining some of these Old Testament concepts in notes or in an introduction to this book.
### How is the idea of blood used in the Book of Hebrews?
Beginning in [Hebrews 9:7](../../heb/09/07.md), the idea of blood is often used as metonymy to represent the death of any animal that was sacrificed according to God's covenant with Israel. The author also used blood to represent the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice so that God would forgive people for sinning against him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])
Beginning in [Hebrews 9:19](../../heb/09/19.md), the author used the idea of sprinkling as a symbolic action. Old Testament priests sprinkled the blood of the animals sacrificed. This was a symbol of the benefits of the animal's death being applied to the people or to an object. This showed that the people or the object was acceptable to God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction]])
## Part 3: Important Translation Issues
### How are the ideas of "holy" and "sanctify" represented in Hebrews in the ULB?
The scriptures use such words to indicate any one of various ideas. For this reason, it is often difficult for translators to represent them well in their versions. In translating into English, the ULB uses the following principles:
* Sometimes the meaning in a passage implies moral holiness. Especially important for understanding the gospel is the fact that God views Christians as sinless because they are united to Jesus Christ. Another related fact is that God is perfect and faultless. A third fact that Christians are to conduct themselves in a blameless, faultless manner in life. In these cases, the ULB uses "holy," "holy God," "holy ones," or "holy people."
* Sometimes the meaning indicates a simple reference to Christians without implying any particular role filled by them. In these cases, the ULB uses "believer" or "believers." (See: 6:10; 13:24)
* Sometimes the meaning implies the idea of someone or something set apart for God alone. In these cases, the ULB uses "sanctify," "set apart," "dedicated to," or "reserved for." (See: 2:11: 9:13; 10:10, 14, 29; 13:12)
The UDB will often be helpful as translators think about how to represent these ideas in their own versions.
### What are the major issues in the text of the Book of Hebrews?
For the following verses, modern versions of the Bible differ from older versions. The ULB text has the modern reading and puts the older reading in a footnote. If a translation of the Bible exists in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions. If not, translators are advised to follow the modern reading.
* "you crowned him with glory and honor" (2:7). Some older translations read, "you crowned him with glory and honor and you have put him over the works of your hands."
* "those who did not unite in faith with those who obeyed" (4:2). Some older translations read, "those who heard it without joining faith to it."
* "Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come" (9:11). Some modern versions and older translations read, "Christ came as a high priest of the good things that are to come."
* "on those who were prisoners" (10:34). Some older translations read, "of me in my chains."
* "They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were killed with the sword" (11:37). Some older translations read, "They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were tempted. They were killed with the sword."
* "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned" (12:20). Some older translations read, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned or shot with an arrow."
(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-textvariants]])

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# James 01 General Notes
### Structure and formatting
James formally introduces this letter in verse 1. Writers often began letters in this way in the ancient Near East.
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### Testing and temptation
These two words occur together in ([James 1:12-13](./12.md)). Both words speak of a person who is able to choose between doing something good and doing something evil. The difference between them is important. God is testing the person and wants him to do what is good. Satan is tempting the person and wants him to do what is evil.
#### Crowns
The crown that a man who passes the test receives is a reward, something that people who do something especially good receive. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/reward]])
### Important figures of speech in this chapter
#### Metaphors
James uses many metaphors in this chapter, and you will need to understand the material on the metaphor page before you can translate them well. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])
### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
#### "To the twelve tribes in the dispersion"
It is not clear to whom James wrote this letter. He calls himself a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, so he was probably writing to Christians. But he calls his readers "the twelve tribes in the dispersion," words which usually refer to Jews. It is possible that he is using the words as a metaphor for "all people whom God has chosen" or that he wrote the letter at a time when most Christians had grown up as Jews.
## Links:
* __[James 01:01 Notes](./01.md)__
* __[James intro](../front/intro.md)__
__| [>>](../02/intro.md)__

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# James 02 General Notes
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### Favoritism
Some of James's readers treated rich and powerful people well and treated poor people badly. This is called favoritism, and James tells them that this is wrong. God wants his people to treat both rich people and poor people well.
#### Justification
Justification is what happens when God makes a person righteous. James says here that God makes righteous or justifies people who do good works along with having faith. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/righteous]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])
### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
#### Quotation marks
The words "Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works" are hard to understand. Some people think that they are what "someone may say," like the words in the quotation marks. Most versions translate them as words that James is saying back to that "someone."
#### "You have ... I have"
Some people think that the words "you" and "I" are metonyms for "some people" and "other people." If they are correct, verse 18 could be translated, "Someone may say, 'Some people have faith and other people have works. Not everyone has both.'" If the next sentence is also what "someone may say," it could be translated "Some people show their faith without works, and other people show their faith by their works. Both have faith." In both cases, the reader will understand only if you add the extra sentence. It is probably best to translate as the ULB does. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit]])
## Links:
* __[James 02:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../01/intro.md) | [>>](../03/intro.md)__

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# James 03 General Notes
### Important figures of speech in this chapter
#### Metaphors
James teaches his readers that they should live to please God by reminding them of things that they know from everyday life. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])
## Links:
* __[James 03:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../02/intro.md) | [>>](../04/intro.md)__

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# James 04 General Notes
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### Adultery
Writers in the Bible often speak of adultery as a metaphor for people who say they love God but do things that God hates. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/godly]])
#### Law
James probably uses this word in [James 4:11](../../jas/04/11.md) to refer to "the royal law" ([James 2:8](../../jas/02/08.md)).
### Important figures of speech in this chapter
#### Rhetorical Questions
James asks many questions because he wants his readers to think about how they are living. He wants to correct and teach them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])
### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
#### Humble
This word probably usually refers to people who are not proud. James uses the word here to refer to people who are not proud and who also trust in Jesus and obey him.
## Links:
* __[James 04:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../03/intro.md) | [>>](../05/intro.md)__

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# James 05 General Notes
### Special concepts in this chapter
#### Eternity
This chapter contrasts living for things of this world, which will not last, with living for things that will last for eternity. It is also important to live with the expectation that Jesus will return soon. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/eternity]])
#### Oaths
Scholars are divided over whether this passage teaches all oaths are wrong. Most scholars believe some oaths are permissible and James instead is teaching Christians to have integrity.
### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
#### Elijah
This story will be difficult to understand if the books of 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles have not yet been translated.
#### "Save his soul from death"
This probably teaches that the person who stops their sinful lifestyle will not be punished with physical death as a consequence of their sin. On the other hand, some scholars believe this passage teaches about eternal salvation. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/death]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/save]])
## Links:
* __[James 05:01 Notes](./01.md)__
__[<<](../04/intro.md) | __

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# Introduction to James
## Part 1: General Introduction
### Outline of the Book of James
1. Greetings (1:1)
1. Testing and maturity (1:2-18)
1. Hearing and doing the Word of God (1:19-27)
1. True faith seen in works
- Word of God (1:19-27)
- Royal law of love (2:1-13)
- Works (2:14-26)
1. Difficulties in community
- Dangers of the tongue (3:1-12)
- Wisdom from above (3:13-18)
- Worldly desires (4:1-12)
1. God's perspective on your decisions
- Boasting about tomorrow (4:13-17)
- Warning about riches (5:1-6)
- Suffering with patience (5:7-11)
1. Closing exhortations
- Oaths (5:12)
- Prayer and healing (5:13-18)
- Care for one another (5:19-20)
### Who wrote the Book of James?
The author identified himself as James. This was probably James, the half-brother of Jesus. James was a leader in the early church and was part of the Jerusalem council. The Apostle Paul also called him a "pillar" of the church.
This is not the same man as the Apostle James. The Apostle James was killed before this letter was written.
### What is the Book of James about?
In this letter, James encouraged believers who were suffering. He told them know that God uses their suffering to help them become mature Christians. James also told them of the need for believers to do good deeds. He wrote much in this letter about how believers should live and treat one another. For example, he commanded them to treat one another fairly, to not fight with one another, and to use riches wisely.
James taught his readers by using many examples from nature such as in 1:6, 11 and 3:1-12. Also, many parts of this letter are similar to what Jesus wrote in the Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5-7).
### Who were the "twelve tribes in the dispersion"?
James said he was writing to the "twelve tribes in the dispersion" (1:1). Some scholars think that James was writing to Jewish Christians. Other scholars think that James was writing to all Christians in general. This letter is known as one of the "General Epistles" since it was not written to a specific church or individual.
### How should the title of this book be translated?
Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, "James." Or they may choose a clearer title, such as "A Letter from James" or "The Letter James Wrote." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names]])
## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
### Did James disagree with Paul about how a person is justified before God?
Paul taught in Romans that Christians are justified by faith and not by works. James seems to teach that Christians are justified by works. This can be confusing. But a better understanding of what Paul and James taught shows that they agree with one another. Both of them taught that a person needs faith in order to be justified. And they both taught that true faith will cause a person to do good works. Paul and James taught about these things in different ways because they had different audiences who needed to know different things about being justified. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/works]])
## Part 3: Important Translation Issues
### How should the translator signal transitions between topics in the Book of James?
The letter quickly changes topics. Sometimes James does not tell the readers that he is about to change topics. It is acceptable to allow the verses to appear disconnected from each other. It may make sense to set the passages apart by starting a new line or putting a space between topics.
### What are the major issues in the text of the Book of James?
* "Do you want to know, foolish man, that faith without works is useless?" (2:20). The ULB and modern translations read this way. Some older translations read, "Do you want to know, foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" If a translation of the Bible exists in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions. If not, translators are advised to follow the modern reading.
(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-textvariants]])