Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

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.”

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

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

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

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

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

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but man spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them - bring swift destruction on themselves.

If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ask you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not by removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.