But he must ask in faith, without a doubt, for the man who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is whirled and swayed by the wind.

(1:7) unreliable in every step he takes, must not expect to get anything from the Lord.

Blessed is the person who endures trial, for when he stands the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

No one must say, when he is tempted to do evil, "I have a temptation from God to do evil," for God cannot be tempted to do evil, and He never tempts anyone to do so.

But anyone is tempted to do evil when he is allured by his own evil desire and enticed by a bait.

In accordance with His will He made us His children by the message of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

Because if anyone merely listens to the message without obeying it, he is like a man who looks in a mirror at his own face,

for he looks and then goes off and at once forgets how he looked.

But the man who looks at the flawless law that makes men free, and keeps on looking, proving himself to be, not a forgetful hearer but an actual doer of what it requires, will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives himself, his religious worship is worthless.

Listen, my dearly loved brothers. Has not God chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

For He who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not commit murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but you do commit murder, you are just the same a lawbreaker.

My brothers, what good is there in a man's saying that he has faith, if he has no good deeds to prove it? Such faith cannot save him, can it?

and so the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham put his faith in God, and it was credited to him for uprightness, and he was called God's friend."

For we all make many a slip. If anyone never slips in speech, he is a man of maturity; he can control his whole body too.

So the tongue, too, is a little organ but can boast of great achievements. See how a spark, ever so tiny, can set a vast forest on fire!

Or, do you think that the Scripture means nothing when it says, "He jealously yearns for the Spirit that He causes to dwell in your hearts"?

But He gives a greater spiritual blessing. He says, "God opposes haughty people but blesses humble people."

So then, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will fly from you.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Get your hands clean, you sinners. Get your hearts purified, you double-minded.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you high.

So when a man knows what is right but does not do it, he is guilty of sin.

You have condemned and murdered the upright man; he offers no resistance.

So be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer keeps on waiting and waiting for the precious crop from his land; how he keeps up his patience over it until he gets the early and late rains,

See how we call those who thus endured happy! You have heard how patiently Job endured and have seen how the Lord finally blessed him, because the Lord is tenderhearted and merciful.

Is any one of you suffering ill-treatment? He should keep on praying. Is anyone in a happy mood? He should keep on singing praise to God.

Is anyone sick among you? He should call in the elders of the church, and they should pray over him, and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord,

and the prayer that is offered in faith will save the sick man; the Lord will raise him to health, and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Elijah was a man with feelings just like ours, and yet he earnestly prayed for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

Then again he prayed, and the heavens yielded rain and the earth produced its crops.