Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

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.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?

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.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.