But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.

If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.

Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months!

You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,

For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.”

like Sarah who obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.

Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.

For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit.

But concerning the one who lacks such things – he is blind. That is to say, he is nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the cleansing of his past sins.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin.

For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them.

Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day.

The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth.

(My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.) But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One,

The one who says “I have come to know God” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,

And now, little children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from him in shame when he comes back.

We know that we have crossed over from death to life because we love our fellow Christians. The one who does not love remains in death.