They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self.

For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. So this one too had to have something to offer.

And every priest stands day after day serving and offering the same sacrifices again and again – sacrifices that can never take away sins.

By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old, he received the ability to procreate, because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy.

But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline or give up when he corrects you.

For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears.

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.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

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

For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a violator of the law.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him?

For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well.

So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.

So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.

he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from his wandering path will save that person’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

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.”