James 4:2

Ye covet, and possess not; and ye kill, and envy, and effect nothing: and ye fight and make attacks; and ye have not, because ye ask not.

James Murdock's Translation of the Syriac Peshitta

In The King James Version

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

In Context

1Whence is it, that there are among you fightings and broils? Is it not from the lusts, which war in your members?

3Ye ask, and receive not; because ye ask wickedly, that ye may pamper your lusts.

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Cross References

Luke 11:9I say also to you: Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

John 16:24Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and ye will receive; that your joy may be complete.

James 1:5And if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask it of God, who giveth to all freely, and reproacheth not; and it will be given him.

Matthew Henry on James 4:2-11

Origin of War and Contention; Against Pride; Submission to God. ( a. d. 61.) 1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever… Read the whole commentary →

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