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For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
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Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
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because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
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Faith and Deeds
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
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Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
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If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
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In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
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But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
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You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
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Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
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You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
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And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
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You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
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In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
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As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
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Taming the Tongue
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
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We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
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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.
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Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
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The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
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All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,
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Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
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Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
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My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
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Two Kinds of Wisdom
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
