Jam 4:3 | RWP | e4.org | Because ye ask amiss ( διοτ κακως αιτεισθε ). Here the indirect middle does make sense, "ye ask for yourselves" and that is "evilly" or amiss ( κακως ), as James explains. That ye may spend it in your pleasures ( ινα εν ταις ηδοναις υμων δαπανησητε ). Purpose clause with ινα and the first aorist subjunctive of δαπαναω , old verb from δαπανη , cost ( only in N.T.), to squander ( ). God does not hear prayers like this.

‏ James 4:3

Because ye ask amiss ( διοτ κακως αιτεισθε ). Here the indirect middle does make sense, "ye ask for yourselves" and that is "evilly" or amiss ( κακως ), as James explains.

That ye may spend it in your pleasures ( ινα εν ταις ηδοναις υμων δαπανησητε ). Purpose clause with ινα and the first aorist subjunctive of δαπαναω, old verb from δαπανη, cost (Lu 14:28 only in N.T.), to squander (Lu 15:14). God does not hear prayers like this.