Was not our forefather Abraham made upright for his good deeds, for offering his son Isaac on the altar?

and so the Scripture came true that says, "Abraham had faith in God, and it was credited to him as uprightness, and he was called God's friend."

Was not even Rahab the prostitute made upright for her good deeds, in entertaining the scouts and sending them off by a different road?

Approach God, and he will approach you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Make your hearts pure, you doubters!

Elijah was a man like us, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months there was no rain in the land.