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Trials and Temptations
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
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But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
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Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
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When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
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Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
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Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.
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If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”
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But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
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Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
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For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
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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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You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
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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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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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Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
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There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
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You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
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Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
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And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
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My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back,
