One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only ^(A)a shadow of ^(B)the good things to come and not the ^[a]form of those things itself, ^[b]can ^(C)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, ^(D)make those who approach perfect. ² Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had ^(E)consciousness of sins? ³ But ^(F)in ^[c]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For it is ^(G)impossible for the ^(H)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵ Therefore, ^(I)when He comes into the world, He says,

⁸ After saying above, “^(O)Sacrifices and offerings and ^(P)whole burnt offerings and offerings ^(Q)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), ⁹ then He ^[d]said, “^(R)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ By ^[e]this will, we have been ^(S)sanctified through ^(T)the offering of ^(U)the body of Jesus Christ ^(V)once for all time.

¹¹ Every priest stands daily ministering and ^(W)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which ^(X)can never take away sins; ¹² but He, having offered one sacrifice ^(Y)for ^[f]sins ^(Z)for all time, ^(AA)sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ waiting from that time onward ^(AB)until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has ^(AC)perfected ^(AD)for all time those who are ^[g]sanctified. ¹⁵ And ^(AE)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

He then says,

¹⁸ Now where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required.

A New and Living Way

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we ^(AH)have confidence to ^(AI)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by ^(AJ)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through ^(AK)the veil, that is, through His flesh, ²¹ and since we have ^(AL)a great priest ^(AM)over the house of God, ²² let’s ^(AN)approach God with a ^[h]sincere heart in ^(AO)full assurance of faith, having our hearts ^(AP)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies ^(AQ)washed with pure water. ²³ Let’s hold firmly to the ^(AR)confession of our ^(AS)hope without wavering, for ^(AT)He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let’s consider how ^(AU)to ^[i]encourage one another in love and ^(AV)good deeds, ²⁵ not abandoning our own ^(AW)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but ^(AX)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see ^(AY)the day drawing near.

Christ or Judgment

²⁶ For if we go on ^(AZ)sinning willfully after receiving ^(BA)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a terrifying expectation of ^(BB)judgment and ^(BC)the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. ^28 (BD)Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ^29 (BE)How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve ^(BF)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean ^(BG)the blood of the covenant ^(BH)by which he was sanctified, and has ^(BI)insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “^(BJ)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “^(BK)The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a ^(BL)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the ^(BM)living God.

³² But remember ^(BN)the former days, ^[j]when, after being ^(BO)enlightened, you endured a great ^(BP)conflict of sufferings, ³³ partly by being ^(BQ)made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming ^[k](BR)companions with those who were so treated. ³⁴ For you ^(BS)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted ^(BT)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves ^(BU)a better and lasting possession. ³⁵ Therefore, do not throw away your ^(BV)confidence, which has a great ^(BW)reward. ³⁶ For you have need of ^(BX)endurance, so that when you have ^(BY)done the will of God, you may ^(BZ)receive ^[l]what was promised.

³⁹ But ^[m]we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul.

The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the ^(CD)certainty of things ^[n](CE)hoped for, a ^[o]proof of ^(CF)things not seen. ² For by it the ^(CG)people of old ^[p](CH)gained approval.

³ By faith we understand that the ^[q](CI)world has been created ^(CJ)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(CK)has not been made out of things that are visible. ⁴ By faith ^(CL)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^(CM)attested to be righteous, God testifying ^[r]about his ^(CN)gifts, and through ^[s]faith, though ^(CO)he is dead, he still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(CP)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(CQ)see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who ^(CR)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. ⁷ By faith ^(CS)Noah, being ^(CT)warned by God about ^(CU)things not yet seen, ^[t](CV)in reverence ^(CW)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(CX)the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸ By faith ^(CY)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^[u]by going out to a place which he was to ^(CZ)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived as a stranger in ^(DA)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(DB)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(DC)fellow heirs of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he was looking for ^(DD)the city which has ^(DE)foundations, ^(DF)whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith even ^(DG)Sarah herself received ^[v]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(DH)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore even from one man, and ^(DI)one who was as good as dead ^[w]at that, there were born descendants who were ^(DJ)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

^13 (DK)All these died in faith, ^(DL)without receiving the promises, but ^(DM)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(DN)having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. ¹⁵ And indeed if they had been ^[x]thinking of that country which they left, ^(DO)they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(DP)heavenly one. Therefore ^(DQ)God is not ^[y]ashamed to be ^(DR)called their God; for ^(DS)He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith ^(DT)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^(DU)received the promises was offering up his ^[z]only son; ¹⁸ it was he to whom it was said, “^(DV)Through Isaac your ^[aa]descendants shall be named.” ^19 [ab]He considered that ^(DW)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^[ac]as a ^[ad](DX)type. ²⁰ By faith ^(DY)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. ²¹ By faith ^(DZ)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(EA)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith ^(EB)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

²³ By faith ^(EC)Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the ^(ED)king’s edict. ²⁴ By faith Moses, ^(EE)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to ^(EF)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, ^26 (EG)considering the ^[ae]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(EH)reward. ²⁷ By faith he ^(EI)left Egypt, not ^(EJ)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^(EK)seeing Him who is unseen. ²⁸ By faith he ^[af](EL)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(EM)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they ^(EN)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^[ag]drowned.

³⁰ By faith ^(EO)the walls of Jericho fell down ^[ah](EP)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. ³¹ By faith the prostitute ^(EQ)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ^[ai]in peace.

³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^(ER)Gideon, ^(ES)Barak, ^(ET)Samson, ^(EU)Jephthah, of ^(EV)David and ^(EW)Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who by faith ^(EX)conquered kingdoms, ^(EY)performed acts of righteousness, ^(EZ)obtained promises, ^(FA)shut the mouths of lions, ^34 (FB)quenched the power of fire, ^(FC)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(FD)became mighty in war, ^(FE)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (FF)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^[aj]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others ^[ak]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^(FG)chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were ^(FH)stoned, they were sawn in two, ^[al]they were tempted, they were ^(FI)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(FJ)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(FK)tormented ³⁸ (people of whom the world was not worthy), ^(FL)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ^[am]in the ground.

³⁹ And all these, having ^(FM)gained approval through their faith, ^(FN)did not receive ^[an]what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had ^[ao]provided ^(FO)something better for us, so that ^(FP)apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Jesus, the Example

12 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s ^(FQ)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s ^(FR)run with ^(FS)endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking only at Jesus, the ^[ap](FT)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him ^(FU)endured the cross, ^(FV)despising the shame, and has ^(FW)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For ^(FX)consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary ^[aq](FY)and lose heart.

A Father’s Discipline

^4 (FZ)You have not yet resisted ^[ar](GA)to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; ⁵ and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,

⁷ It is for discipline that you endure; ^(GF)God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline, ^(GG)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had ^[as]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^(GH)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to ^(GI)the Father of ^[at]spirits, and ^(GJ)live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, ^(GK)so that we may share His holiness. ^11 (GL)For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the ^(GM)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

¹² Therefore, ^[au](GN)strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, ¹³ and ^(GO)make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather ^(GP)be healed.

^14 (GQ)Pursue peace with all people, and the ^(GR)holiness without which no one will ^(GS)see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one ^(GT)comes short of the grace of God; that no ^(GU)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become ^(GV)defiled; ¹⁶ that there be no ^(GW)sexually immoral or ^(GX)godless person like Esau, ^(GY)who sold his own birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that even afterward, ^(GZ)when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Contrast of Sinai and Zion

^18 (HA)For you have not come to ^(HB)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, ¹⁹ and to the ^(HC)blast of a trumpet and the ^(HD)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard ^(HE)begged that no further word be spoken to them. ²⁰ For they could not ^[av]cope with the command, “^(HF)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” ²¹ And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “^(HG)I am terrified and trembling.” ²² But ^(HH)you have come to Mount Zion and to ^(HI)the city of ^(HJ)the living God, ^(HK)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^(HL)myriads of ^[aw]angels, ²³ to the general assembly and ^(HM)church of the firstborn who ^(HN)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^(HO)the Judge of all, and to the ^(HP)spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the ^(HQ)mediator of a new covenant, and to the ^(HR)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^(HS)the blood of Abel.

The Unshaken Kingdom

^25 (HT)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^(HU)speaking. For ^(HV)if those did not escape when they ^(HW)refused him who ^(HX)warned them on earth, ^[ax]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^(HY)warns us from heaven. ²⁶ And ^(HZ)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^(IA)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” ²⁷ This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes ^(IB)the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we receive a ^(IC)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s ^[ay]show gratitude, by which we may ^(ID)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹ for ^(IE)our God is a consuming fire.

The Changeless Christ

13 Let ^(IF)love of the brothers and sisters continue. ² Do not neglect ^(IG)hospitality to strangers, for by this some have ^(IH)entertained angels without knowing it. ^3 (II)Remember ^(IJ)the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. ^4 (IK)Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; ^(IL)for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. ⁵ Make sure that your character is ^(IM)free from the love of money, ^(IN)being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “^(IO)I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” ⁶ so that we confidently say,

⁷ Remember ^(IQ)those who led you, who spoke ^(IR)the word of God to you; and considering the ^[az]result of their way of life, ^(IS)imitate their faith. ^8 (IT)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. ^9 (IU)Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to ^(IV)be strengthened by grace, not by ^(IW)foods, ^(IX)through which those who ^[ba]were so occupied were not benefited. ¹⁰ We have an altar ^(IY)from which those ^(IZ)who serve the ^[bb]tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For ^(JA)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also suffered ^(JB)outside the gate, ^(JC)that He might sanctify the people ^(JD)through His own blood. ¹³ So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, ^(JE)bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here ^(JF)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking ^(JG)the city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

^15 (JH)Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a ^(JI)sacrifice of praise to God, that is, ^(JJ)the fruit of lips praising His name. ¹⁶ And do not neglect doing good and ^(JK)sharing, for ^(JL)with such sacrifices God is pleased.

^17 (JM)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for ^(JN)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not ^[bc]groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.

^18 (JO)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a ^(JP)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. ¹⁹ And I urge you all the more to do this, ^(JQ)so that I may be restored to you more quickly.

Benediction

²⁰ Now may ^(JR)the God of peace, who ^(JS)brought up from the dead the ^(JT)great Shepherd of the sheep ^[bd]through ^(JU)the blood of the ^(JV)eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, ^21 (JW)equip you in every good thing to do His will, ^(JX)working in us that ^(JY)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, ^(JZ)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² But ^(KA)I urge you, ^(KB)brothers and sisters, ^[be]listen patiently to ^[bf]this ^(KC)word of exhortation, for ^(KD)I have written to you briefly. ²³ Know that ^(KE)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. ²⁴ Greet ^(KF)all of your leaders and all the ^[bg](KG)saints. Those from ^(KH)Italy greet you.

^25 (KI)Grace be with you all.

The Testing of Your Faith

1 ^[a](A)James, a ^(B)bond-servant of God and ^(C)of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To ^(D)the twelve tribes who are ^[b](E)dispersed abroad: ^(F)Greetings.

^2 (G)Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter ^(H)various ^[c]trials, ³ knowing that ^(I)the testing of your ^(J)faith produces ^[d](K)endurance. ⁴ And let ^[e](L)endurance have its perfect ^[f]result, so that you may be ^[g](M)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ But if any of you ^(N)lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and ^[h]without reproach, and ^(O)it will be given to him. ⁶ But he must ^(P)ask in faith ^(Q)without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, ^(R)driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, ⁸ being a ^(S)[i]double-minded man, ^(T)unstable in all his ways.

^9 (U)Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; ¹⁰ but the rich person is to glory in his ^[j]humiliation, because ^(V)like ^[k]flowering grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with ^(W)its scorching heat and ^(X)withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out.

^12 (Y)Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has ^[l]been approved, he will receive ^(Z)the crown of life which the Lord ^(AA)has promised to those who ^(AB)love Him. ¹³ No one is to say when he is tempted, “^(AC)I am being tempted ^[m]by God”; for God cannot be tempted ^[n]by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. ¹⁵ Then ^(AD)when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and ^(AE)sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. ^16 (AF)Do not be ^[o]deceived, ^(AG)my beloved brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good thing given and every perfect gift is ^(AH)from above, coming down from ^(AI)the Father of lights, ^(AJ)with whom there is no variation or ^[p]shifting shadow. ¹⁸ In the exercise of ^(AK)His will He ^(AL)gave us birth by ^(AM)the word of truth, so that we would be ^[q]a kind of ^(AN)first fruits ^[r]among His creatures.

^19 [s](AO)You know this, ^(AP)my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, ^(AQ)slow to speak, and ^(AR)slow to anger; ²⁰ for a man’s ^(AS)anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore, ^(AT)ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all ^[t]that remains of wickedness, in ^[u]humility receive ^(AU)the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. ^22 (AV)But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his ^[v]natural face ^(AW)in a mirror; ²⁴ for once he has looked at himself and gone away, ^[w]he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. ²⁵ But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, ^(AX)the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but ^[x]an active doer, this person will be ^(AY)blessed in ^[y]what he does.

²⁶ If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not ^[z](AZ)bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion ^(BA)in the sight of our God and Father is this: to ^(BB)visit ^(BC)orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained ^[aa]by ^(BD)the world.

The Sin of Partiality

2 ^(BE)My brothers and sisters, ^(BF)do not hold your faith in our ^(BG)glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of ^(BH)personal favoritism. ² For if a man comes into your ^[ab]assembly with a gold ring and is dressed in ^(BI)bright clothes, and a poor man in ^(BJ)dirty clothes also comes in, ³ and you ^[ac]pay special attention to the one who is wearing the ^(BK)bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” ⁴ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges ^(BL)with evil ^[ad]motives? ⁵ Listen, ^(BM)my beloved brothers and sisters: did ^(BN)God not choose the poor ^[ae]of this world to be ^(BO)rich in faith and ^(BP)heirs of the kingdom which He ^(BQ)promised to those who love Him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and ^[af]personally ^(BR)drag you into ^[ag]court? ^7 (BS)Do they not blaspheme the good name ^[ah]by which you have been called?

⁸ If, however, you ^(BT)are fulfilling the ^[ai]royal law according to the Scripture, “^(BU)You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. ⁹ But if you ^(BV)show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet ^(BW)stumbles in one point, has become ^(BX)guilty of all. ¹¹ For He who said, “^(BY)Do not commit adultery,” also said, “^(BZ)Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do murder, you have become a violator of the Law. ¹² So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by ^(CA)the law of freedom. ¹³ For ^(CB)judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy ^[aj]triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Works

^14 (CC)What use is it, ^(CD)my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can ^[ak]that faith save him? ^15 (CE)If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “^(CF)Go in peace, ^[al]be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? ¹⁷ In the same way, ^(CG)faith also, if it has no works, is ^[am]dead, being by itself.

^18 (CH)But someone ^[an]may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your ^(CI)faith without the works, and I will ^(CJ)show you my faith ^(CK)by my works.” ¹⁹ You believe that ^[ao](CL)God is one. ^(CM)You do well; ^(CN)the demons also believe, and shudder. ²⁰ But are you willing to acknowledge, ^(CO)you foolish person, that ^(CP)faith without works is useless? ^21 (CQ)Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that ^(CR)faith was working with his works, and ^[ap]as a result of the ^(CS)works, faith was ^[aq]perfected; ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “^(CT)And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a ^(CU)friend of God. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ In the same way, was ^(CV)Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also ^(CW)when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ²⁶ For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also ^(CX)faith without works is dead.

The Tongue Is a Fire

3 ^(CY)Do not become teachers in large numbers, ^(CZ)my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a ^[ar]stricter judgment. ² For we all ^(DA)stumble in many ways. ^(DB)If anyone does not stumble in ^[as]what he says, he is a ^(DC)perfect man, able to ^[at](DD)rein in the whole body as well. ³ Now ^(DE)if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. ⁴ Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it ^(DF)boasts of great things.

^(DG)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! ⁶ And ^(DH)the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among ^[au]our body’s parts as that which ^(DI)defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our ^[av]life, and is set on fire by ^[aw](DJ)hell. ⁷ For every ^[ax]species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human ^[ay]race. ⁸ But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of ^(DK)deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless ^(DL)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, ^(DM)who have been made in the likeness of God; ¹⁰ from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. ¹¹ Does a spring send out from the same opening both ^[az]fresh and bitter water? ^12 (DN)Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce ^[ba]fresh.

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? ^(DO)Let him show by his ^(DP)good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(DQ)jealousy and ^[bb]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against ^(DR)the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down ^(DS)from above, but is ^(DT)earthly, ^[bc](DU)natural, ^(DV)demonic. ¹⁶ For where ^(DW)jealousy and ^[bd]selfish ambition exist, ^[be]there is disorder and every evil thing. ¹⁷ But the wisdom ^(DX)from above is first ^(DY)pure, then ^(DZ)peace-loving, ^(EA)gentle, ^[bf]reasonable, ^(EB)full of mercy and good fruits, ^[bg](EC)impartial, free of ^(ED)hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the ^(EE)fruit of righteousness is sown in peace ^[bh]by those who make peace.

Things to Avoid

4 ^[bi]What is the source of quarrels and ^(EF)conflicts among you? ^[bj]Is the source not your pleasures that wage ^(EG)war in ^[bk]your body’s parts? ² You lust and do not have, so you ^(EH)commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and ^(EI)do not receive, because you ask ^[bl]with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request ^[bm]on your pleasures. ⁴ You ^(EJ)adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with ^(EK)the world is ^(EL)hostility toward God? ^(EM)Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture ^(EN)says to no purpose, “^[bn]He ^[bo]jealously desires ^(EO)the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us”? ⁶ But ^(EP)He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “^(EQ)God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ^7 (ER)Submit therefore to God. But ^[bp](ES)resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ^8 (ET)Come close to God and He will come close to you. ^(EU)Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and ^(EV)purify your hearts, you ^(EW)[bq]double-minded. ^9 (EX)Be miserable, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom. ^10 (EY)Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

^11 (EZ)Do not speak against one another, ^(FA)brothers and sisters. The one who speaks against a brother or sister, or ^(FB)judges his brother or sister, speaks against ^(FC)the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not ^(FD)a doer of the law but a judge of it. ¹² There is only one ^(FE)Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is ^(FF)able to save and to destroy; but ^(FG)who are you, ^[br]judging your neighbor?

^13 (FH)Come now, you who say, “^(FI)Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” ^14 [bs]Yet you do not know ^[bt]what your life will be like tomorrow. ^(FJ)For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. ^15 [bu]Instead, you ought to say, “^(FK)If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” ¹⁶ But as it is, you boast in your ^[bv]arrogance; ^(FL)all such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ So ^(FM)for one who knows the ^[bw]right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin.

Misuse of Riches

5 ^(FN)Come now, ^(FO)you rich people, ^(FP)weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. ^2 (FQ)Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and your silver have corroded, and their corrosion will ^[bx]serve as a testimony against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is ^(FR)in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! ⁴ Behold, ^(FS)the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and ^(FT)the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of ^(FU)the Lord ^[by]of armies. ⁵ You have ^[bz](FV)lived for pleasure on the earth and lived luxuriously; you have ^[ca]fattened your hearts in ^(FW)a day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and ^[cb](FX)put to death ^(FY)the righteous person; he offers you no resistance.

Exhortation

⁷ Therefore be patient, ^(FZ)brothers and sisters, ^(GA)until the coming of the Lord. ^(GB)The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until ^[cc]it gets ^(GC)the early and late rains. ^8 (GD)You too be patient; ^(GE)strengthen your hearts, for ^(GF)the coming of the Lord is ^(GG)near. ^9 (GH)Do not ^[cd]complain, ^(GI)brothers and sisters, against one another, so that you may not be judged; behold, ^(GJ)the Judge is standing ^[ce](GK)right at the ^[cf]door. ¹⁰ As an example, ^(GL)brothers and sisters, of suffering and patience, take ^(GM)the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ We count those ^(GN)blessed who endured. You have heard of ^(GO)the ^[cg]endurance of Job and have seen ^(GP)the ^[ch]outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that ^(GQ)the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

¹² But above all, ^(GR)my brothers and sisters, ^(GS)do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but ^[ci]your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you do not fall under judgment.

¹³ Is anyone among you ^(GT)suffering? ^(GU)Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to ^(GV)sing praises. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for ^(GW)the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, ^[cj](GX)anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; ¹⁵ and the ^(GY)prayer of faith will ^[ck](GZ)restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will ^(HA)raise him up, and if he has committed sins, ^[cl]they will be forgiven him. ¹⁶ Therefore, ^(HB)confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be ^(HC)healed. ^(HD)A ^[cm]prayer of a righteous person, when it is ^[cn]brought about, can accomplish much. ¹⁷ Elijah was ^(HE)a man with a nature like ours, and ^(HF)he prayed ^[co]earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for ^(HG)three years and six months. ¹⁸ Then he ^(HH)prayed again, and ^(HI)the sky ^[cp]poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, ^(HJ)if anyone among you strays from ^(HK)the truth and someone turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will ^(HL)save his soul from death and ^(HM)cover a multitude of sins.

A Living Hope and a Sure Salvation

1 ^(A)Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who reside as ^(B)strangers, ^(C)scattered throughout ^(D)Pontus, ^(E)Galatia, ^(F)Cappadocia, ^(G)Asia, and ^(H)Bithynia, ^(I)who are chosen ² according to the ^(J)foreknowledge of God the Father, ^(K)by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, ^[a]to ^(L)obey Jesus Christ and be ^(M)sprinkled with His blood: ^(N)May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

^3 (O)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who ^(P)according to His great mercy ^(Q)has caused us to be born again to ^(R)a living hope through the ^(S)resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to obtain an ^(T)inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and ^(U)will not fade away, ^(V)reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are ^(W)protected by the power of God ^(X)through faith for ^(Y)a salvation ready ^(Z)to be revealed in the last time. ^6 (AA)In this you greatly rejoice, even though now ^(AB)for a little while, ^(AC)if necessary, you have been distressed by ^(AD)various ^[b]trials, ⁷ so that the ^[c](AE)proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes ^(AF)though tested by fire, ^(AG)may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at ^(AH)the revelation of Jesus Christ; ⁸ and ^(AI)though you have not seen Him, you ^(AJ)love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and ^[d]full of glory, ⁹ obtaining as ^(AK)the outcome of your faith, the salvation of ^[e]your souls.

^10 (AL)As to this salvation, the prophets who ^(AM)prophesied of the ^(AN)grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, ^11 [f]seeking to know what person or time ^(AO)the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He ^(AP)predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories ^[g]to follow. ¹² It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who ^(AQ)preached the gospel to you by ^(AR)the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which ^(AS)angels long to ^[h]look.

¹³ Therefore, ^[i](AT)prepare your minds for action, ^[j](AU)keep sober in spirit, set your ^(AV)hope completely on the ^(AW)grace to be brought to you at ^(AX)the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As ^[k](AY)obedient children, do not ^[l](AZ)be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ^(BA)ignorance, ¹⁵ but ^[m](BB)like the Holy One who called you, ^[n](BC)be holy yourselves also ^(BD)in all your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written: “^(BE)You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

¹⁷ If you ^(BF)address as Father the One who ^(BG)impartially ^(BH)judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves ^(BI)in fear during the time of your ^(BJ)stay on earth; ¹⁸ knowing that you were not ^[o](BK)redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your ^(BL)futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious ^(BM)blood, as of a ^(BN)lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. ²⁰ For He was ^(BO)foreknown before ^(BP)the foundation of the world, but has ^(BQ)appeared ^[p]in these last times ^(BR)for the sake of you ²¹ who through Him are ^(BS)believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and ^(BT)gave Him glory, so that your faith and ^(BU)hope are in God.

²² Since you have ^(BV)purified your souls ^(BW)in obedience to the truth for a ^(BX)sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently love one another from ^[q]the heart, ²³ for you have been ^(BY)born again ^(BZ)not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring ^(CA)word of God. ²⁴ For,

And this is ^(CD)the word which was ^[r]preached to you.

As Newborn Babes

2 Therefore, ^(CE)rid yourselves of all ^[s]malice and all deceit and ^[t]hypocrisy and ^[u]envy and all ^[v](CF)slander, ^2 (CG)and like newborn babies, long for the ^[w](CH)pure ^[x]milk of the word, so that by it you may ^(CI)grow ^[y]in respect to salvation, ³ if you have ^(CJ)tasted ^[z](CK)the kindness of the Lord.

As Living Stones

⁴ And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been ^(CL)rejected by people, but is ^[aa]choice and precious in the sight of God, ^5 (CM)you also, as living stones, ^[ab]are being built up as a ^(CN)spiritual house for a holy ^(CO)priesthood, to ^(CP)offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For this is contained in ^[ac]Scripture:

^7 (CS)This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers,

⁸ and,

^(CW)for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, ^(CX)and to this they were also appointed.

⁹ But you are ^(CY)a chosen people, a royal ^(CZ)priesthood, a ^(DA)holy nation, ^(DB)a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you ^(DC)out of darkness into His marvelous light; ^10 (DD)for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

^11 (DE)Beloved, ^(DF)I urge you as ^(DG)foreigners and strangers to abstain from ^(DH)fleshly lusts, which wage ^(DI)war against the soul. ^12 (DJ)Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they ^(DK)slander you as evildoers, they may ^[ag]because of your good deeds, as they observe them, ^(DL)glorify God ^(DM)on the day of ^[ah]visitation.

Honor Authority

^13 (DN)Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent ^[ai]by him ^(DO)for the punishment of evildoers and the ^(DP)praise of those who do right. ¹⁵ For ^[aj](DQ)such is the will of God, that by doing right you ^(DR)silence the ignorance of foolish people. ¹⁶ Act as ^(DS)free people, and ^[ak]do not use your freedom as a ^[al]covering for evil, but use it as ^(DT)bond-servants of God. ^17 (DU)Honor all people, ^(DV)love the brotherhood, ^(DW)fear God, ^(DX)honor the ^[am]king.

^18 (DY)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and ^(DZ)gentle, but also to those who are ^[an]harsh. ¹⁹ For this finds favor, if for the sake of ^(EA)conscience toward God a person endures ^[ao]grief when suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if ^(EB)when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

Christ Is Our Example

²¹ For ^(EC)you have been called for this purpose, ^(ED)because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you ^(EE)an example, so that you would follow in His steps, ²² He who ^(EF)committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; ^23 [ap]and while being ^(EG)abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ and He Himself ^[aq](EH)brought our sins in His body up on the ^[ar](EI)cross, so that we ^(EJ)might die to ^[as]sin and live for righteousness; ^(EK)by His ^[at]wounds you were ^(EL)healed. ²⁵ For you were ^(EM)continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the ^(EN)Shepherd and ^[au]Guardian of your souls.

Godly Living

3 ^(EO)In the same way, you wives, ^(EP)be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be ^(EQ)won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, ² as they observe your pure ^[av]and respectful behavior. ^3 (ER)Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; ⁴ but it should be ^(ES)the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. ⁵ For in this way the holy women of former times, ^(ET)who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, ⁶ just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, ^(EU)calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right ^[aw](EV)without being frightened by any fear.

^7 (EW)You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with ^[ax](EX)someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

^8 [ay]To sum up, ^(EY)all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, ^[az](EZ)loving, ^(FA)compassionate, and ^(FB)humble; ^9 (FC)not returning evil for evil or ^(FD)insult for insult, but giving a ^(FE)blessing instead; for ^(FF)you were called for the very purpose that you would ^(FG)inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For,

^13 (FK)And who is ^[ba]there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should ^(FL)suffer for the sake of righteousness, ^(FM)you ^[bb]are blessed. ^(FN)And do not fear their ^[bc]intimidation, and do not be in dread, ¹⁵ but ^[bd]sanctify ^(FO)Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready ^(FP)to make a ^[be]defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the ^(FQ)hope that is in you, but ^(FR)with gentleness and ^(FS)respect; ^16 [bf]and keep a ^(FT)good conscience so that in the thing in which ^(FU)you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For ^(FV)it is better, ^(FW)if ^[bg]God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. ¹⁸ For ^(FX)Christ also ^[bh]suffered for sins ^(FY)once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might ^(FZ)bring us to God, having been put to death ^(GA)in the flesh, but made alive ^(GB)in the ^[bi]spirit; ¹⁹ in ^[bj]which He also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison, ²⁰ who once were disobedient when the ^(GC)patience of God ^(GD)kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of ^(GE)the ark, in which a few, that is, ^(GF)eight ^(GG)persons, were brought safely through the water. ^21 (GH)Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—^(GI)not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God ^[bk]for a ^(GJ)good conscience—through ^(GK)the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ^22 (GL)who is at the right hand of God, ^(GM)having gone into heaven, ^(GN)after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Keep Fervent in Your Love

4 Therefore, since ^(GO)Christ has ^[bl]suffered in the flesh, ^(GP)arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because ^(GQ)the one who has ^[bm]suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ^2 (GR)so as to live ^(GS)the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human lusts, but for the ^(GT)will of God. ³ For ^(GU)the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, ^[bn](GV)having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. ⁴ In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of ^(GW)[bo]debauchery, and they ^(GX)slander you; ⁵ but they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge ^(GY)the living and the dead. ⁶ For ^(GZ)the gospel has for this purpose been ^[bp]preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as people, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

^7 (HA)The end of all things ^[bq]is near; therefore, ^(HB)be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of ^[br]prayer. ⁸ Above all, ^(HC)keep fervent in your love for one another, because ^(HD)love covers a multitude of sins. ^9 (HE)Be hospitable to one another without ^(HF)complaint. ^10 (HG)As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good ^(HH)stewards of the ^[bs]multifaceted grace of God. ^11 (HI)Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking ^(HJ)actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving ^[bt](HK)by the strength which God supplies; so that ^(HL)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, ^(HM)to whom belongs the glory and ^[bu]dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Share the Sufferings of Christ

^12 (HN)Beloved, do not be surprised at the ^(HO)fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; ¹³ but to the degree that you ^(HP)share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the ^(HQ)revelation of His glory ^(HR)you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted ^[bv](HS)for the name of Christ, ^(HT)you are blessed, ^(HU)because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. ¹⁵ Make sure that ^(HV)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a ^[bw](HW)troublesome meddler; ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers as a ^(HX)Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to ^(HY)glorify God in this name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(HZ)to begin ^[bx]with ^(IA)the household of God; and if it ^(IB)begins ^[by]with us first, what will be the outcome for those ^(IC)who do not obey the ^(ID)gospel of God? ^18 (IE)And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, ^[bz]what will become of the ^(IF)godless man and the sinner? ¹⁹ Therefore, those also who suffer according to ^(IG)the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Serve God Willingly

5 ^(IH)Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your ^(II)fellow elder and a ^(IJ)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a ^[ca](IK)fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: ² shepherd ^(IL)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, ^(IM)not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and ^(IN)not ^[cb]with greed but with eagerness; ³ nor yet as ^(IO)domineering over ^[cc]those assigned to your care, but by ^[cd]proving to be ^[ce](IP)examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief ^(IQ)Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(IR)unfading ^[cf](IS)crown of glory. ^5 (IT)You ^[cg]younger men, likewise, ^(IU)be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with ^(IV)humility toward one another, because ^(IW)God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

⁶ Therefore ^(IX)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ having cast all your ^(IY)anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. ^8 (IZ)Be of sober spirit, ^(JA)be on the alert. Your adversary, ^(JB)the devil, prowls around like a roaring ^(JC)lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 [ch](JD)So resist him, ^(JE)firm in your faith, knowing that ^(JF)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your ^[ci]brothers and sisters who are in the world. ¹⁰ After you have suffered ^(JG)for a little while, the ^(JH)God of all grace, who ^(JI)called you to His ^(JJ)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself ^(JK)perfect, ^(JL)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ^11 (JM)To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

¹² Through ^(JN)Silvanus, our faithful brother ^[cj](for so I regard him), ^(JO)I have written to you briefly, ^[ck]exhorting and testifying that this is ^(JP)the true grace of God. ^(JQ)Stand firm in it! ¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, ^(JR)Mark. ^14 (JS)Greet one another with a kiss of love.

^(JT)Peace be to you all who are in Christ.