Galatians in verse

Paul an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the members of God’s family who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

 

Grace to you and peace †

from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Who gave himself for our sins

to set us free from the present evil age,

 

According to the will of our God and Father,

to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

†

 

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!

 

Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

 

For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.

Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.

 

†

2

 

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. But because of false believers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us—we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you. And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those leaders contributed nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do.

 

 

But when Cephas came to Antioch, †

I opposed him to his face,

because he stood self-condemned;

 

For until certain people came from James,

he used to eat with the Gentiles.

 

But after they came, he drew back †

and kept himself separate

for fear of the circumcision faction.

 

And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy,

so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 

 

But when I saw that they were not acting consistently †

with the truth of the gospel,

I said to Cephas before them all,

 

“If you, though a Jew,

live like a Gentile and not like a Jew,

 

How can you compel the Gentiles

to live like Jews?”

 

We ourselves are Jews by birth

and not Gentile sinners;

 

Yet we know that a person is justified †

not by the works of the law

but through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus,

so that we might be justified by faith in Christ,

 

And not by doing the works of the law,

because no one will be justified by the works of the law.

 

But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ,

we ourselves have been found to be sinners,

 

Is Christ then a servant of sin?

Certainly not!

 

But if I build up again the very things †

that I once tore down,

then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor.

 

For through the law I died to the law,

so that I might live to God.

 

I have been crucified with Christ; †

and it is no longer I who live,

but it is Christ who lives in me.

 

And the life I now live in the flesh †

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.

 

I do not nullify the grace of God; †

for if justification comes through the law,

then Christ died for nothing.

†

3

 

You foolish Galatians!

Who has bewitched you?

 

It was before your eyes

that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified!

The only thing I want to learn from you is this: †

Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law

or by believing what you heard?

 

Are you so foolish? †

Having started with the Spirit,

are you now ending with the flesh?

 

Did you experience so much for nothing?—

if it really was for nothing.

 

Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit

and work miracles among you

 

By your doing the works of the law,

or by your believing what you heard?

 

Just as Abraham believed God,

and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,

 

So, you see, those who believe

are the descendants of Abraham.

And the scripture, foreseeing

that God would justify the Gentiles by faith,

 

Declared the gospel beforehand †

to Abraham, saying,

All the Gentiles shall be blessed in you.

 

For this reason, those who believe

are blessed with Abraham who believed.

 

†

 

For all who rely on the works of the law

are under a curse;

 

For it is written, Cursed is everyone †

who does not observe and obey

all the things written in the book of the law. 

 

Now it is evident

that no one is justified before God by the law;

 

For, The one who is righteous

will live by faith.

 

But the law does not rest on faith;

on the contrary,

 

Whoever does the works of the law

will live by them.

 

Christ redeemed us †

from the curse of the law

by becoming a curse for us—

 

For it is written, Cursed is everyone

who hangs on a tree—

 

In order that in Christ Jesus

the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles,

 

So that we might receive the promise

of the Spirit through faith.

 

†

 

Brethren, I give an example

from daily life:

 

Once a person’s will has been ratified,

no one adds to it or annuls it.

 

Now the promises were made to Abraham

and to his seed;

 

It does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many; †

but it says, And to your seed,

that is, to one person, who is Christ.

 

My point is this:

the law, which came four hundred thirty years later,

 

Does not annul a covenant †

previously ratified by God,

so as to nullify the promise.

 

For if the inheritance comes from the law,

it no longer comes from the promise;

 

But God granted it to Abraham

through the promise.

 

†

 

Why then the law?

It was added because of transgressions,

 

Until the seed would come

to whom the promise had been made;

 

And it was ordained through angels

by a mediator.

 

Now a mediator involves †

more than one party;

but God is one.

 

Is the law then opposed

to the promises of God?

 

Certainly not!

For if a law had been given

that could make alive,

Then righteousness would indeed

come through the law.

 

But the scripture has imprisoned all things

under the power of sin,

 

So that what was promised †

through the faith of Jesus Christ

might be given to those who believe.

 

†

 

Now before faith came,

we were imprisoned

 

And guarded under the law

until faith would be revealed.

 

Therefore the law was our disciplinarian †

until Christ came,

so that we might be justified by faith.

 

But now that faith has come,

we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian,

 

For in Christ Jesus

you are all children of God through faith.

 

As many of you as were baptized into Christ

have clothed yourselves with Christ.

 

There is no longer Jew or Greek,

there is no longer slave or free,

 

There is no longer male and female;

for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

 

And if you belong to Christ, †

then you are Abraham’s seed,

heirs according to the promise.

 

†

4

 

My point is this:

heirs, as long as they are minors,

 

Are no better than slaves,

though they are the owners of all the property;

 

But they remain under guardians and trustees

until the date set by the father.

 

So with us; while we were minors,

we were enslaved

to the elemental spirits of the world.

 

But when the fullness of time had come,

God sent his Son,

 

Born of a woman,

born under the law,

In order to redeem those who were under the law,

so that we might receive adoption as children.

 

And because you are children, †

God has sent the Spirit of his Son

into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

 

So you are no longer a slave but a child,

and if a child then also an heir, through God.

 

Formerly, when you did not know God, †

you were enslaved

to beings that by nature are not gods.

 

Now, however, that you have come to know God,

or rather to be known by God,

 

How can you turn back again

to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits?

 

How can you want to be enslaved to them again? †

You are observing special days,

and months, and seasons, and years.

 

I am afraid that my work for you

may have been wasted.

 

†

 

Brothers, I beg you, become as I am,

for I also have become as you are.

You have done me no wrong. †

You know that it was because of a physical infirmity

that I first announced the gospel to you;

 

Though my condition put you to the test,

you did not scorn or despise me,

 

But welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

What has become of the goodwill you felt?

 

For I testify that, had it been possible, †

you would have torn out your eyes

and given them to me.

 

Have I now become your enemy

by telling you the truth?

 

They make much of you,

but for no good purpose;

 

They want to exclude you,

so that you may make much of them.

 

It is good to be made much of †

for a good purpose at all times,

and not only when I am present with you.

 

My little children, †

for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth

until Christ is formed in you,

 

I wish I were present with you now †

and could change my tone,

for I am perplexed about you.

 

†

 

Tell me, you who desire †

to be subject to the law,

will you not listen to the law?

 

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, †

one by a slave woman

and the other by a free woman.

 

One, the child of the slave,

was born according to the flesh;

 

The other, the child of the free woman,

was born through the promise.

 

Now this is an allegory:

these women are two covenants.

 

One woman, in fact, is Hagar, †

from Mount Sinai,

bearing children for slavery.

 

Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia †

and corresponds to the present Jerusalem,

for she is in slavery with her children.

 

But the other woman

corresponds to the Jerusalem above;

 

She is free, and she is our mother.

For it is written,

 

Rejoice, you childless one, you who bear no children,

burst into song and shout, you who endure no birth pangs;

For the children of the desolate woman are more numerous

than the children of the one who is married.”

 

Now you, my brothers, are children

of the promise, like Isaac.

 

But just as at that time

the child who was born according to the flesh

 

Persecuted the child who was born according to the Spirit,

so it is now also.

 

But what does the scripture say?

“Drive out the slave and her child;

 

For the child of the slave will not share

the inheritance with the child of the free woman.”

 

So then, brothers, we are children,

not of the slave but of the free woman.

 

†

5

 

For freedom Christ has set us free. †

Stand firm, therefore,

and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

 

Listen! I, Paul, am telling you †

that if you let yourselves be circumcised,

Christ will be of no benefit to you.

 

Once again I testify to every man †

who lets himself be circumcised

that he is obliged to obey the entire law.

 

You who want to be justified by the law †

have cut yourselves off from Christ;

you have fallen away from grace.

 

For through the Spirit, †

by faith, we eagerly wait

for the hope of righteousness.

 

For in Christ Jesus

neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything;

 

The only thing that counts

is faith working through love.

 

You were running well;

who prevented you from obeying the truth?

 

Such persuasion does not come †

from the one who calls you.

 

A little yeast leavens

the whole batch of dough.

 

I am confident about you in the Lord

that you will not think otherwise.

 

But whoever it is that is confusing you

will pay the penalty.

 

But my brothers, why am I still being persecuted

if I am still preaching circumcision?

 

In that case the offense of the cross

has been removed.

 

I wish those who unsettle you

would castrate themselves!

 

†

 

For you were called to freedom, brethren; †

only do not use your freedom

as an opportunity for the flesh,

 

But through love become slaves to one another.

For the whole law is summed up

 

In a single commandment,

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

If, however, you bite and devour one another,

take care that you are not consumed by one another.

 

†

 

Live by the Spirit, I say,

and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.

 

For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit,

and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh;

 

For these are opposed to each other,

to prevent you from doing what you want.

 

But if you are led by the Spirit,

you are not subject to the law.

 

Now the works of the flesh are obvious:

fornication, impurity, licentiousness,

 

Idolatry, sorcery,

enmities, strife, jealousy,

 

Anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions,

envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.

 

I am warning you, as I warned you before: †

those who do such things

will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit

is love, joy, peace,

 

Patience, kindness, generosity,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

 

There is no law against such things. †

And those who belong to Christ Jesus

have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 

If we live by the Spirit,

let us also be guided by the Spirit.

 

Let us not become conceited, †

competing against one another,

envying one another.

 

†

6

 

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, †

you who have received the Spirit

should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.

 

Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. †

Bear one another’s burdens,

and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

For if those who are nothing think they are something, †

they deceive themselves.

All must test their own work;

 

Then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work,

will become a cause for pride.

For all must carry their own loads.

 

Those who are taught the word

must share in all good things with their teacher.

 

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked,

for you reap whatever you sow.

 

If you sow to your own flesh,

you will reap corruption from the flesh;

 

But if you sow to the Spirit,

you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

 

So let us not grow weary in doing what is right,

for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.

 

So then, whenever we have an opportunity, †

let us work for the good of all,

and especially for those of the family of faith.

 

†

 

See what large letters I make

when I am writing in my own hand!

It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh

that try to compel you to be circumcised—

 

Only that they may not be persecuted

for the cross of Christ.

 

Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, †

but they want you to be circumcised

so that they may boast about your flesh.

 

May I never boast of anything

except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

By which the world has been crucified to me,

and I to the world.

 

For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything;

but a new creation is everything!

 

As for those who will follow this rule—†

peace be upon them, and mercy,

and upon the Israel of God.

 

From now on, let no one make trouble for me; †

for I carry the marks of Jesus

branded on my body.

 

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

 

††† 

James in verse

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greeting.

 

†

 

Count it all joy, my brethren,

when you meet various trials,

 

For you know that the testing of your faith

produces steadfastness.

 

And let steadfastness have its full effect, †

that you may be perfect and complete,

lacking in nothing.

 

If any of you lacks wisdom,

let him ask God,

 

Who gives to all men generously †

and without reproaching,

and it will be given him.

 

But let him ask in faith,

with no doubting,

 

For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea

that is driven and tossed by the wind.

 

For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, †

unstable in all his ways,

will receive anything from the Lord.

 

†

 

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

and the rich in his humiliation,

 

Because like the flower of the grass

he will pass away.

 

For the sun rises with its scorching heat

and withers the grass;

 

Its flower falls,

and its beauty perishes.

 

So will the rich man fade away

in the midst of his pursuits.

 

†

 

Blessed is the man who endures trial,

for when he has stood the test

 

He will receive the crown of life

which God has promised to those who love him.

 

Let no one say when he is tempted,

“I am tempted by God”;

 

For God cannot be tempted with evil

and he himself tempts no one;

 

But each person is tempted

when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

 

Then desire when it has conceived

gives birth to sin;

 

And sin when it is full-grown

brings forth death.

 

†

 

Do not be deceived,

my beloved brethren.

 

Every good endowment and every perfect gift

is from above,

 

Coming down from the Father of lights †

with whom there is no variation

due to a shadow of turning.

 

Of his own will he brought us forth

by the word of truth

 

That we should be a kind of first fruits

of his creatures.

 

†

 

Know this,

my beloved brethren.

 

Let every man be quick to hear, †

slow to speak,

slow to anger,

 

For the anger of man does not work

the righteousness of God.

 

Therefore put away all filthiness

and rank growth of wickedness

 

And receive with meekness the implanted word,

which is able to save your souls.

 

But be doers of the word, †

and not hearers only,

deceiving yourselves.

 

For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer,

he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror;

 

For he observes himself and goes away

and at once forgets what he was like.

 

But he who looks into the perfect law, †

the law of liberty,

and perseveres,

 

Being no hearer that forgets †

but a doer that acts,

he shall be blessed in his doing.

 

†

 

If any one thinks he is religious,

and does not bridle his tongue

 

But deceives his heart,

this man’s religion is vain.

 

Religion that is pure and undefiled

before God and the Father is this:

 

To visit orphans and widows in their affliction,

and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

 

†

2

 

My brethren, show no partiality †

as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Lord of glory.

 

For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothing

comes into your assembly,

 

And a poor man in shabby clothing

also comes in,

 

And you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing

and say, “Have a seat here, please,”

 

While you say to the poor man, “Stand there,”

or, “Sit at my feet,”

 

Have you not made distinctions among yourselves,

and become judges with evil thoughts?

 

†

 

Listen, my beloved brethren.

Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world

 

To be rich in faith †

and heirs of the kingdom

which he has promised to those who love him?

 

But you have dishonored the poor man. †

Is it not the rich who oppress you,

is it not they who drag you into court?

 

Is it not they who blaspheme

the honorable Name which was invoked over you?

 

†

 

If you really fulfil the royal law,

according to the scripture,

 

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself,”

you do well.

 

But if you show partiality, †

you commit sin,

and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

 

For whoever keeps the whole law †

but fails in one point

has become guilty of all of it.

 

For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,”

said also, “Do not kill.”

 

If you do not commit adultery but do kill,

you have become a transgressor of the law.

 

So speak and so act †

as those who are to be judged

under the law of liberty.

 

For judgment is without mercy †

to one who has shown no mercy;

yet mercy triumphs over judgment.

 

†

 

What does it profit, my brethren,

if a man says he has faith

 

But has not works?

Can his faith save him?

 

If a brother or sister is ill-clad

and in lack of daily food,

 

And one of you says to them, †

“Go in peace,

be warmed and filled,”

 

Without giving them the things needed for the body,

what does it profit?

 

So faith by itself,

if it has no works, is dead.

 

But some one will say,

“You have faith and I have works.”

 

Show me your faith apart from your works,

and I by my works will show you my faith.

 

You believe that God is one;

you do well.

 

Even the demons believe—

and shudder.                       

†

 

Do you want to be shown, you shallow man,

that faith apart from works is barren?

 

Was not Abraham our father †

justified by works,

When he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?

 

You see that faith was active

along with his works,

 

And faith was completed by works,

and the scripture was fulfilled which says,

 

“Abraham believed God, †

and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”;

and he was called the friend of God.

 

You see that a man is justified by works

and not by faith alone.

 

And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot

justified by works

 

When she received the messengers

and sent them out another way?

 

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead,

so faith apart from works is dead.

 

†

3

 

Let not many of you

become teachers, my brethren,

 

For you know that we who teach

shall be judged with greater strictness.

 

For we all make many mistakes,

and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says

 

He is a perfect man,

able to bridle the whole body also.

 

If we put bits into the mouths of horses †

that they may obey us,

we guide their whole bodies.

 

Look at the ships also;

though they are so great and are driven by strong winds,

 

They are guided by a very small rudder

wherever the will of the pilot directs.

 

So the tongue is a little member

and boasts of great things.

 

How great a forest is set ablaze †

by a small fire!

And the tongue is a fire.

 

†

 

The tongue is an unrighteous world

among our members,

 

Staining the whole body, †

setting on fire the wheel of birth,^{Or: cycle of nature}

and set on fire by Gehenna.

 

For every kind of beast and bird,

of reptile and sea creature,

 

Can be tamed

and has been tamed by humankind,

 

But no human being can tame the tongue—†

a restless evil,

full of deadly poison.

 

With it we bless the Lord and Father, †

and with it we curse men,

who are made in the likeness of God.

 

From the same mouth

come blessing and cursing.

 

My brethren, this ought not to be so. †

Does a spring pour forth from the same opening

fresh water and brackish?

 

Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, †

or a grapevine figs?

No more can salt water yield fresh.

 

†

 

Who is wise and understanding among you?

By his good life let him show his works

in the meekness of wisdom.

 

But if you have bitter jealousy †

and selfish ambition in your hearts,

do not boast and be false to the truth.

 

This wisdom is not such as comes down from above,

but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.

 

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,

there will be disorder and every vile practice.

 

But the wisdom from above

is first pure,

 

Then peaceable, gentle, open to reason,

full of mercy and good fruits,

 

Without uncertainty

or insincerity.

 

And the harvest of righteousness †

is sown in peace

by those who make peace.

†

4

What causes wars,

and what causes fightings among you?

 

Is it not your passions

that are at war in your members?

 

You desire and do not have;

so you kill.

 

And you covet and cannot obtain;

so you fight and wage war.

 

You do not have,

because you do not ask.

 

You ask and do not receive, †

because you ask wrongly,

to spend it on your passions.

 

Unfaithful creatures! †

Do you not know that friendship with the world

is enmity with God?

 

Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world

makes himself an enemy of God.

 

Or do you suppose it is in vain

that the scripture says,

 

He yearns jealously over the spirit

which he has made to dwell in us?^Unknown

 

But he gives more grace;

therefore it says,

 

God opposes the proud,

but gives grace to the humble.^Prov3:34

 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. †

Resist the devil

and he will flee from you.

 

Draw near to God

and he will draw near to you.

 

Cleanse your hands, you sinners,

and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.

 

Be wretched and mourn and weep. †

Let your laughter be turned to mourning

and your joy to dejection.

 

Humble yourselves before the Lord

and he will exalt you.

 

Do not speak evil against one another, brethren. †

He that speaks evil against a brother

or judges his brother,

 

Speaks evil against the law

and judges the law.

 

But if you judge the law,

you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

 

There is one lawgiver and judge,

he who is able to save and to destroy.

 

But who are you

that you judge your neighbor?

 

†

 

Come now, you who say, †

“Today or tomorrow we will go

into such and such a town

 

And spend a year there †

and trade and get gain”;

whereas you do not know about tomorrow.

 

What is your life?

For you are a mist

 

That appears for a little time

and then vanishes.

 

Instead you ought to say, †

“If the Lord wills,

we shall live and we shall do this or that.”

 

As it is, you boast in your arrogance.

All such boasting is evil.

 

Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it,

for him it is sin.

†

5

 

Come now, you rich, †

weep and howl

for the miseries that are coming upon you.

 

Your riches have rotted

and your garments are moth-eaten.

 

Your gold and silver have rusted, †

and their rust will be evidence against you

and will eat your flesh,

 

Since you have laid up fire

for the last days.

 

Behold, the wages

of the laborers who mowed your fields,

 

Which you kept back by fraud,

(they) cry out;

 

And the cries of the harvesters

have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.

 

You have lived on the earth in luxury

and in pleasure;

 

You have fattened your hearts

in a day of slaughter.

 

You have condemned, †

you have killed the righteous man;

he does not resist you.

 

†

 

Be patient, therefore, brethren,

until the coming of the Lord.

 

Behold, the farmer waits

for the precious fruit of the earth,

 

Being patient over it

until it receives the early and the late rain.

 

You also be patient. †

Establish your hearts,

for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

 

Do not grumble, brethren,

against one another,

 

That you may not be judged;

behold, the Judge is standing at the doors.

 

As an example of suffering and patience, brethren, †

take the prophets

who spoke in the Name of the Lord.

 

Behold, we call those happy

who were steadfast.

 

You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, †

and you have seen the purpose of the Lord,

how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

 

But above all, my brethren,

do not swear,

 

Either by heaven or by earth

or with any other oath,

 

But let your yes be yes †

and your no be no,

that you may not fall under condemnation.

 

†

 

Is any one among you suffering?

Let him pray.

 

Is any cheerful?

Let him sing praise.

 

Is any among you sick?

Let him call for the elders of the church,

 

And let them pray over him, †

anointing him with oil

in the Name of the Lord;

 

And the prayer of faith

will save the sick man,

 

And the Lord will raise him up; †

and if he has committed sins,

he will be forgiven.

 

Therefore confess your sins to one another, †

and pray for one another,

that you may be healed.

 

†

 

The prayer of a righteous man

has great power in its effects.

 

Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves

and he prayed fervently that it might not rain,

 

And for three years and six months

it did not rain on the earth.

 

Then he prayed again †

and the heaven gave rain,

and the earth brought forth its fruit.

 

My brethren, if any one among you †

wanders from the truth

and some one brings him back,

 

Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner

from the error of his way

 

Will save his soul from death

and will cover a multitude of sins.

†††