Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! ¹  Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.

You believe that God is one; well and good. ¹  Even the demons believe that – and tremble with fear. ² 

For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature ¹  is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. ² 

You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near.

Think of how we regard ¹  as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. ² 

My brothers and sisters, ¹  consider it nothing but joy ²  when you fall into all sorts of trials,

because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

For human ¹  anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. ² 

Your riches have rotted and your clothing has become moth-eaten.

All generous giving and every perfect gift ¹  is from above, coming down ²  from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. ³ 

you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.

For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” ¹  also said, “Do not murder.” ²  Now if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a violator of the law.

Look, the pay you have held back from the workers who mowed your fields cries out against you, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.

So be patient, brothers and sisters, ¹  until the Lord’s return. ²  Think of how the farmer waits ³  for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient ⁴  for it until it receives the early and late rains.

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. ¹ 

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,

For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets ¹  what sort of person he was.

But you have dishonored the poor! ¹  Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts?

Do they not blaspheme the good name of the one you belong to? ¹ 

For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over ¹  judgment.