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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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Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
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If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
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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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Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
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Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
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But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
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For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
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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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but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
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Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
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Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
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Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
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Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
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Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
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and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
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But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
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Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
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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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Favoritism Forbidden
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
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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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Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
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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?
