And he believed Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Will Jehovah take pleasure in thousands of rams, in ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewn thee, O man, what is good: and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Blessed the merciful, for they shall find mercy.

Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in the heavens; for thus have they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Whosoever then shall do away with one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whosoever shall practise and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens. For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

But I say unto you, that every one that is lightly angry with his brother shall be subject to the judgment; but whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be subject to be called before the sanhedrim; but whosoever shall say, Fool, shall be subject to the penalty of the hell of fire.

Again, ye have heard that it has been said to the ancients, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt render to the Lord what thou hast sworn. But I say unto you, Do not swear at all; neither by the heaven, because it is the throne of God; read more. nor by the earth, because it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your word be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; but what is more than these is from evil.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who insult you and persecute you,

Be ye therefore perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Be ye therefore perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

For if ye forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father also will forgive you yours, but if ye do not forgive men their offences, neither will your Father forgive your offences.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust spoils, and where thieves dig through and steal;

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and will love the other, or he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Judge not, that ye may not be judged; for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you.

Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. read more. Or what man is there of you who, if his son shall ask of him a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; and if he ask a fish, will give him a serpent? If therefore ye, being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much rather shall your Father who is in the heavens give good things to them that ask of him?

Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but he that does the will of my Father who is in the heavens. Many shall say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied through thy name, and through thy name cast out demons, and through thy name done many works of power? read more. and then will I avow unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me, workers of lawlessness.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye pay tithes of mint and anise and cummin, and ye have left aside the weightier matters of the law, judgment and mercy and faith: these ye ought to have done and not have left those aside.

And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites that they might ask him, Thou, who art thou?

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, listen to me: Simon has related how God first visited to take out of the nations a people for his name. read more. And with this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written: After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which is fallen, and will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up, so that the residue of men may seek out the Lord, and all the nations on whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who does these things known from eternity. Wherefore I judge, not to trouble those who from the nations turn to God; but to write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses, from generations of old, has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

But if thou art named a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast in God, and knowest the will, and discerningly approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; read more. and hast confidence that thou thyself art a leader of the blind, a light of those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law: thou then that teachest another, dost thou not teach thyself? thou that preachest not to steal, dost thou steal? thou that sayest man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? thou who boastest in law, dost thou by transgression of the law dishonour God? For the name of God is blasphemed on your account among the nations, according as it is written. For circumcision indeed profits if thou keep the law; but if thou be a law-transgressor, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.

And not only that, but we also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works endurance;

Neither yield your members instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but yield yourselves to God as alive from among the dead, and your members instruments of righteousness to God.

but I see another law in my members, warring in opposition to the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which exists in my members.

Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own master he stands or falls. And he shall be made to stand; for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Every man praying or prophesying, having anything on his head, puts his head to shame. But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered puts her own head to shame; for it is one and the same as a shaved woman. read more. For if a woman be not covered, let her hair also be cut off. But if it be shameful to a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, let her be covered. For man indeed ought not to have his head covered, being God's image and glory; but woman is man's glory. For man is not of woman, but woman of man. For also man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man. Therefore ought the woman to have authority on her head, on account of the angels. However, neither is woman without man, nor man without woman, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, so also is the man by the woman, but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman should pray to God uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you, that man, if he have long hair, it is a dishonour to him? But woman, if she have long hair, it is glory to her; for the long hair is given to her in lieu of a veil.

And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If any one thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognise the things that I write to you, that it is the Lord's commandment.

All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.

who has also made us competent, as ministers of the new covenant; not of letter, but of spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit quickens. (But if the ministry of death, in letters, graven in stones, began with glory, so that the children of Israel could not fix their eyes on the face of Moses, on account of the glory of his face, a glory which is annulled; read more. how shall not rather the ministry of the Spirit subsist in glory? For if the ministry of condemnation be glory, much rather the ministry of righteousness abounds in glory. For also that which was glorified is not glorified in this respect, on account of the surpassing glory. For if that annulled was introduced with glory, much rather that which abides subsists in glory. Having therefore such hope, we use much boldness: and not according as Moses put a veil on his own face, so that the children of Israel should not fix their eyes on the end of that annulled. But their thoughts have been darkened, for unto this day the same veil remains in reading the old covenant, unremoved, which in Christ is annulled. But unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil lies upon their heart. But when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.) Now the Lord is the Spirit, but where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, looking on the glory of the Lord, with unveiled face, are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord the Spirit.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any force, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.

James, bondman of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the dispersion, greeting. Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into various temptations,

Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into various temptations,

Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into various temptations, knowing that the proving of your faith works endurance. read more. But let endurance have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any one of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and reproaches not, and it shall be given to him:

For the sun has risen with its burning heat, and has withered the grass, and its flower has fallen, and the comeliness of its look has perished: thus the rich also shall wither in his goings.

Let no man, being tempted, say, I am tempted of God. For God cannot be tempted by evil things, and himself tempts no one.

According to his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we should be a certain first-fruits of his creatures.

for man's wrath does not work God's righteousness.

for man's wrath does not work God's righteousness.

But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, beguiling yourselves.

But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, beguiling yourselves. For if any man be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like to a man considering his natural face in a mirror: read more. for he has considered himself and is gone away, and straightway he has forgotten what he was like. But he that fixes his view on the perfect law, that of liberty, and abides in it, being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, he shall be blessed in his doing. If any one think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

for if there come unto your synagogue a man with a gold ring in splendid apparel, and a poor man also come in in vile apparel,

for if there come unto your synagogue a man with a gold ring in splendid apparel, and a poor man also come in in vile apparel,

Hear, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor as to the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him?

And do not they blaspheme the excellent name which has been called upon you? If indeed ye keep the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.

For whoever shall keep the whole law and shall offend in one point, he has come under the guilt of breaking all.

For whoever shall keep the whole law and shall offend in one point, he has come under the guilt of breaking all.

for judgment will be without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.

So also faith, if it have not works, is dead by itself.

So also faith, if it have not works, is dead by itself.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and that by works faith was perfected. read more. And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend of God.

And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend of God.

And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend of God.

For as the body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment. For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.

For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too. Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.

Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.

Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies. Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.

Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.

Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will. Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!

Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!

Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles! and the tongue is fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.

and the tongue is fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.

and the tongue is fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell. For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;

For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;

For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species; but the tongue can no one among men tame; it is an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.

but the tongue can no one among men tame; it is an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.

but the tongue can no one among men tame; it is an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison. Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after the likeness of God.

Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after the likeness of God.

Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus.

Out of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus.

Out of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus. Does the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter?

Does the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter?

Does the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter? Can, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water make sweet water.

Can, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water make sweet water.

Can, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water make sweet water. Who is wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;

Who is wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom; but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish. read more. For where emulation and strife are, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.

But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned. But the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.

But the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.

Whence come wars and whence fightings among you? Is it not thence, from your pleasures, which war in your members?

Whence come wars and whence fightings among you? Is it not thence, from your pleasures, which war in your members?

Adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore is minded to be the friend of the world is constituted enemy of God.

But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God sets himself against the proud, but gives grace to the lowly. Subject yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Subject yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Be wretched, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he shall exalt you. read more. Speak not against one another, brethren. He that speaks against his brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if thou judgest the law, thou art not doer of the law, but judge.

Speak not against one another, brethren. He that speaks against his brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if thou judgest the law, thou art not doer of the law, but judge. One is the lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou who judgest thy neighbour?

But now ye glory in your vauntings: all such glorying is evil. To him therefore who knows how to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.

Go to now, ye rich, weep, howling over your miseries that are coming upon you. Your wealth is become rotten, and your garments moth-eaten.

Your wealth is become rotten, and your garments moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is eaten away, and their canker shall be for a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as fire. Ye have heaped up treasure in the last days. read more. Behold, the wages of your labourers, who have harvested your fields, wrongfully kept back by you, cry, and the cries of those that have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Behold, the wages of your labourers, who have harvested your fields, wrongfully kept back by you, cry, and the cries of those that have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived luxuriously on the earth and indulged yourselves; ye have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter; read more. ye have condemned, ye have killed the just; he does not resist you. Have patience, therefore, brethren, till the coming of the Lord. Behold, the labourer awaits the precious fruit of the earth, having patience for it until it receive the early and the latter rain.

Have patience, therefore, brethren, till the coming of the Lord. Behold, the labourer awaits the precious fruit of the earth, having patience for it until it receive the early and the latter rain. Ye also have patience: stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is drawn nigh.

Ye also have patience: stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is drawn nigh. Complain not one against another, brethren, that ye be not judged. Behold, the judge stands before the door. read more. Take as an example, brethren, of suffering and having patience, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord.

Take as an example, brethren, of suffering and having patience, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call them blessed who have endured. Ye have heard of the endurance of Job, and seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is full of tender compassion and pitiful. read more. But before all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, that ye do not fall under judgment.

Is any sick among you? let him call to him the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall heal the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he be one who has committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.

let him know that he that brings back a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and shall cover a multitude of sins.

Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners of the dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his great mercy, has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead,

Wherein ye exult, for a little while at present, if needed, put to grief by various trials,

Because all flesh is as grass, and all its glory as the flower of grass. The grass has withered and its flower has fallen;

Beloved, I exhort you, as strangers and sojourners, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that as to that in which they speak against you as evildoers, they may through your good works, themselves witnessing them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

but before all things having fervent love among yourselves, because love covers a multitude of sins;

Beloved, take not as strange the fire of persecution which has taken place amongst you for your trial, as if a strange thing was happening to you; but as ye have share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, that in the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exultation. read more. If ye are reproached in the name of Christ, blessed are ye; for the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God rests upon you: on their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.

Likewise ye younger, be subject to the elder, and all of you bind on humility towards one another; for God sets himself against the proud, but to the humble gives grace. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the due time;

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the due time;

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the due time;

Whom resist, stedfast in faith, knowing that the selfsame sufferings are accomplished in your brotherhood which is in the world.