James 4:3 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

³ [When] you do ask, you do not receive it, because you ask from wrong motives, [just] so you can satisfy your own pleasures.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

³ Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

³ [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.

American Standard Version (1901)

³ Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleasures.

Common English Bible

³ You ask and don’t have because you ask with evil intentions, to waste it on your own cravings.

Catholic Public Domain Version

³ You ask and you do not receive, because you ask badly, so that you may use it toward your own desires.

James 4:3 Cross References

1 John 5:14

And this is [how we can express] boldness in our relationship with God: Whatever we ask [of God, in prayer], so long as it is in harmony with His will for us, [we know] He hears our request.

1 John 3:22

and we can be assured of receiving from God whatever we ask Him for, because we are obeying His commands [i.e., especially the one about loving others] and are practicing what is pleasing to Him.

James 4:1

Where do conflicts and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your [desire for] pleasures which produce inner conflict?

Luke 15:13

And a few days later, this younger son gathered everything together and traveled to a distant country where he squandered his possessions in wild living.

Mark 10:38

But Jesus said to them, “You [really] do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup [i.e., of suffering] that I will drink? Or [are you able] to be immersed with the immersion that I am [to be] immersed with? [i.e., to be overwhelmed with agony].”

Matthew 20:22

But Jesus replied to her, “You [really] do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup [i.e., of suffering] that I am about to drink?” They [i.e., James, John and their mother. See Mark 10:35ff] answered, “[Yes] we are able to.”

Luke 15:30

But when this son of yours came [home], after having squandered all you gave him on prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

Luke 11:10

For every person who asks will [certainly] receive; and the one who looks will [certainly] find; and to the person who knocks, the door will [certainly] be opened up.