Testing of Your Faith

^2 (A)Count it all joy, my brothers,^[a] when you meet trials ^(B)of various kinds, ³ for you know that ^(C)the testing of your faith ^(D)produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be ^(E)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

^5 (F)If any of you lacks wisdom, ^(G)let him ask God, ^(H)who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But ^(I)let him ask in faith, ^(J)with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like ^(K)a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ^8 (L)he is a double-minded man, ^(M)unstable in all his ways.

⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ and ^(N)the rich in his humiliation, because ^(O)like a flower of the grass^[b] he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and ^(P)withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

^12 (Q)Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive ^(R)the crown of life, ^(S)which God has promised to those who love him.

The Sermon on the Mount

5 Seeing the crowds, ^(A)he went up on the mountain, and when he ^(B)sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

² And ^(C)he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

^3 (D)“Blessed are ^(E)the poor in spirit, for ^(F)theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ “Blessed are ^(G)those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

⁵ “Blessed are the ^(H)meek, for they ^(I)shall inherit the earth.

⁶ “Blessed are those who hunger and ^(J)thirst ^(K)for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

⁷ “Blessed are ^(L)the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

⁸ “Blessed are ^(M)the pure in heart, for ^(N)they shall see God.

⁹ “Blessed are ^(O)the peacemakers, for ^(P)they shall be called ^(Q)sons^[a] of God.

^10 (R)“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for ^(S)theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

^11 (T)“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely ^(U)on my account. ^12 (V)Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for ^(W)so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Do Not Be Anxious

^25 (A)“Therefore I tell you, ^(B)do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?