- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
- Job 33:19-28
“Man is also chastened with pain on his bed,
And with strong pain in many of his bones, So that his life abhors bread,
And his soul succulent food. His flesh wastes away from sight,
And his bones stick out which once were not seen. Yes, his soul draws near the Pit,
And his life to the executioners. “If there is a messenger for him,
A mediator, one among a thousand,
To show man His uprightness, Then He is gracious to him, and says,
‘ Deliver him from going down to the Pit;
I have found a ransom’; His flesh shall be young like a child’s,
He shall return to the days of his youth. He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him,
He shall see His face with joy,
For He restores to man His righteousness. Then he looks at men and says,
‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right,
And it did not profit me.’ He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit,
And his life shall see the light.
- Job 35:2-16
“Do you think this is right?
Do you say,
‘My righteousness is more than God’s’? For you say,
‘What advantage will it be to You?
What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’ “I will answer you,
And your companions with you. Look to the heavens and see;
And behold the clouds—
They are higher than you. If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him?
Or, if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give Him?
Or what does He receive from your hand? Your wickedness affects a man such as you,
And your righteousness a son of man. “ Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out;
They cry out for help because of the arm of the mighty. But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
Who gives songs in the night, Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth,
And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’ There they cry out, but He does not answer,
Because of the pride of evil men. Surely God will not listen to empty talk,
Nor will the Almighty regard it. Although you say you do not see Him,
Yet justice is before Him, and you must wait for Him. And now, because He has not punished in His anger,
Nor taken much notice of folly, Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain;
He multiplies words without knowledge.”
- Proverbs 13:19
A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
- Romans 1:21-22
because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,
- Ephesians 4:11-19
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
- 1 Timothy 1:3-5
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
- 2 Timothy 3:10-15
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- Leviticus 19:18
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
- Numbers 15:22-24
‘If you sin unintentionally, and do not observe all these commandments which the LORD has spoken to Moses— all that the LORD has commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day the LORD gave commandment and onward throughout your generations— then it will be, if it is unintentionally committed, without the knowledge of the congregation, that the whole congregation shall offer one young bull as a burnt offering, as a sweet aroma to the LORD, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one kid of the goats as a sin offering.
- Numbers 15:29-31
You shall have one law for him who sins unintentionally, for him who is native-born among the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwells among them. 'But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the LORD, and he shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.’”
- Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
- Deuteronomy 11:18-19
“Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
- 1 Samuel 2:2
“No one is holy like the LORD,
For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
- 1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
- Job 9:32-35
"For He is not a man, as I am,
That I may answer Him,
And that we should go to court together. Nor is there any mediator between us,
Who may lay his hand on us both. Let Him take His rod away from me,
And do not let dread of Him terrify me. Then I would speak and not fear Him,
But it is not so with me.
- Job 10:2-22
I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me;
Show me why You contend with me. Does it seem good to You that You should oppress,
That You should despise the work of Your hands,
And smile on the counsel of the wicked? Do You have eyes of flesh?
Or do You see as man sees? Are Your days like the days of a mortal man?
Are Your years like the days of a mighty man, That You should seek for my iniquity
And search out my sin, Although You know that I am not wicked,
And there is no one who can deliver from Your hand? ‘Your hands have made me and fashioned me,
An intricate unity;
Yet You would destroy me. Remember, I pray, that You have made me like clay.
And will You turn me into dust again? Did You not pour me out like milk,
And curdle me like cheese, Clothe me with skin and flesh,
And knit me together with bones and sinews? You have granted me life and favor,
And Your care has preserved my spirit. ‘And these things You have hidden in Your heart;
I know that this was with You: If I sin, then You mark me,
And will not acquit me of my iniquity. If I am wicked, woe to me;
Even if I am righteous, I cannot lift up my head.
I am full of disgrace;
See my misery! If my head is exalted,
You hunt me like a fierce lion,
And again You show Yourself awesome against me. You renew Your witnesses against me,
And increase Your indignation toward me;
Changes and war are ever with me. ‘Why then have You brought me out of the womb?
Oh, that I had perished and no eye had seen me! I would have been as though I had not been.
I would have been carried from the womb to the grave. Are not my days few?
Cease! Leave me alone, that I may take a little comfort, Before I go to the place from which I shall not return,
To the land of darkness and the shadow of death, A land as dark as darkness itself,
As the shadow of death, without any order,
Where even the light is like darkness.’”
- Job 30:19-21
He has cast me into the mire,
And I have become like dust and ashes. “I cry out to You, but You do not answer me;
I stand up, and You regard me. But You have become cruel to me;
With the strength of Your hand You oppose me.
- Job 31:35-37
Oh, that I had one to hear me!
Here is my mark.
Oh, that the Almighty would answer me,
That my Prosecutor had written a book! Surely I would carry it on my shoulder,
And bind it on me like a crown; I would declare to Him the number of my steps;
Like a prince I would approach Him.
- Job 32:1-3
So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
- Job 33:8-13
“Surely you have spoken in my hearing,
And I have heard the sound of your words, saying, ‘I am pure, without transgression;
I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me. Yet He finds occasions against me,
He counts me as His enemy; He puts my feet in the stocks,
He watches all my paths.’ “Look, in this you are not righteous.
I will answer you,
For God is greater than man. Why do you contend with Him?
For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.
- Job 34:31-37
“For has anyone said to God,
‘I have borne chastening;
I will offend no more; Teach me what I do not see;
If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’? Should He repay it according to your terms,
Just because you disavow it?
You must choose, and not I;
Therefore speak what you know. “Men of understanding say to me,
Wise men who listen to me: ‘Job speaks without knowledge,
His words are without wisdom.’ Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost,
Because his answers are like those of wicked men! For he adds rebellion to his sin;
He claps his hands among us,
And multiplies his words against God.”
- Job 37:1-2
“At this also my heart trembles,
And leaps from its place. Hear attentively the thunder of His voice,
And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.
- Job 37:13
He causes it to come,
Whether for correction,
Or for His land,
Or for mercy.
- Job 37:23-24
As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him;
He is excellent in power,
In judgment and abundant justice;
He does not oppress. Therefore men fear Him;
He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.”
- Job 38:2-3
“Who is this who darkens counsel
By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
- Job 40:1-14
Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said: “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?
He who rebukes God, let him answer it.” Then Job answered the LORD and said: “ Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer;
Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Now prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me: “ Would you indeed annul My judgment?
Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God?
Or can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor,
And array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath;
Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low;
Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together,
Bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you
That your own right hand can save you.
- Job 42:1-6
Then Job answered the LORD and said: "I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, "Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?"
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak;
You said, "I will question you, and you shall answer Me." "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes."
- Psalm 81:12-14
So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart,
To walk in their own counsels. “Oh, that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways!
I would soon subdue their enemies,
And turn My hand against their adversaries.
- Psalm 119:172
My tongue shall speak of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.
- Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
- Proverbs 9:9-10
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
" The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
- Isaiah 1:11-17
"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?"
Says the LORD
" I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fed cattle.
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
Or of lambs or goats.
"When you come to appear before Me,
Who has required this from your hand,
To trample My courts?
Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me.
The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood.
"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.
Thus says the LORD:
" Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the LORD.
O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Also I raised My hand in an oath to those in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the Gentiles and disperse them throughout the countries, because they had not executed My judgments, but had despised My statutes, profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their fathers' idols. "Therefore I also gave them up to statutes that were not good, and judgments by which they could not live;
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these." So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him.
But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
"Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.'
Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),
'These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger."
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient—
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father's wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.
but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
In the law it is written:
“ With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—
Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:
' When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.'
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.
The Elder,To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,
Because you say, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing"—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.