because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,

Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.

By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom.

You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that -- and tremble with fear.

But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless?

You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works.

And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness," and he was called God's friend.

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.

And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.

Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you?

Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world's friend makes himself God's enemy.

Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, "The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning"?

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit."

You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes.

You ought to say instead, "If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that."

Come now, you rich! Weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming on you.

Your gold and silver have rusted and their rust will be a witness against you. It will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have hoarded treasure!

Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates!

Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job's endurance and you have seen the Lord's purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

And above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your "Yes" be yes and your "No" be no, so that you may not fall into judgment.

So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.

Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months!

he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from his wandering path will save that person's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.