-
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
-
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
-
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
-
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
-
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
-
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
-
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
-
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
-
But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
-
Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
-
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
-
For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
-
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
-
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
-
Taming the Tongue
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
-
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
-
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
-
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
-
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
-
Two Kinds of Wisdom
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
-
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
-
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
-
Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.
-
Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
-
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
