Journey Through 1 Thessalonians

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The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPRO">
      <div class="chapter ch5" data-usfm="PRO.5">
         <div class="label">5</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Warning Against Adultery</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.5.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">My son, pay attention to my wisdom,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.5.1"><span class="content">turn your ear to my words of insight,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.5.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.5.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">that you may maintain discretion</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.5.2"><span class="content">and your lips may preserve knowledge.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.5.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.5.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.5.3"><span class="content">and her speech is smoother than oil;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.5.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.5.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">but in the end she is bitter as gall,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.5.4"><span class="content">sharp as a double-edged sword.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.5.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.5.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Her feet go down to death;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.5.5"><span class="content">her steps lead straight to the grave.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.5.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.5.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">She gives no thought to the way of life;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.5.6"><span class="content">her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.5.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.5.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Now then, my sons, listen to me;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.5.7"><span class="content">do not turn aside from what I say.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.5.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.5.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Keep to a path far from her,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.5.8"><span class="content">do not go near the door of her house,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.5.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.5.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">lest you lose your honor to others</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.5.9"><span class="content">and your dignity</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">5:9 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">years</span></span></span><span class="content"> to one who is cruel,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.5.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.5.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">lest strangers feast on your wealth</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.5.10"><span class="content">and your toil enrich the house of another.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.5.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.5.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">At the end of your life you will groan,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.5.11"><span class="content">when your flesh and body are spent.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.5.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.5.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">You will say, &#8220;How I hated discipline!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.5.12"><span class="content">How my heart spurned correction!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.5.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.5.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">I would not obey my teachers</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.5.13"><span class="content">or turn my ear to my instructors.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.5.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.5.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">And I was soon in serious trouble</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.5.14"><span class="content">in the assembly of God&#8217;s people.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.5.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.5.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Drink water from your own cistern,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.5.15"><span class="content">running water from your own well.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.5.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.5.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Should your springs overflow in the streets,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.5.16"><span class="content">your streams of water in the public squares?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.5.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.5.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Let them be yours alone,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.5.17"><span class="content">never to be shared with strangers.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.5.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.5.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">May your fountain be blessed,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.5.18"><span class="content">and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.5.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.5.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">A loving doe, a graceful deer&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.5.19"><span class="content">may her breasts satisfy you always,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.5.19"><span class="content">may you ever be intoxicated with her love.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.5.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.5.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man&#8217;s wife?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.5.20"><span class="content">Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.5.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.5.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">For your ways are in full view of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.5.21"><span class="content">and he examines all your paths.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.5.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.5.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.5.22"><span class="content">the cords of their sins hold them fast.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.5.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.5.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">For lack of discipline they will die,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.5.23"><span class="content">led astray by their own great folly.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPRO">
      <div class="chapter ch6" data-usfm="PRO.6">
         <div class="label">6</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Warnings Against Folly</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.6.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.6.1"><span class="content">if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.6.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.6.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">you have been trapped by what you said,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.6.2"><span class="content">ensnared by the words of your mouth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.6.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.6.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">So do this, my son, to free yourself,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.6.3"><span class="content">since you have fallen into your neighbor&#8217;s hands:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.6.3"><span class="content">Go&#8212;to the point of exhaustion&#8212;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">6:3 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Go and humble yourself,</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.6.3"><span class="content">and give your neighbor no rest!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.6.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.6.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Allow no sleep to your eyes,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.6.4"><span class="content">no slumber to your eyelids.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.6.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.6.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.6.5"><span class="content">like a bird from the snare of the fowler.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.6.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.6.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Go to the ant, you sluggard;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.6.6"><span class="content">consider its ways and be wise!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.6.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.6.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">It has no commander,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.6.7"><span class="content">no overseer or ruler,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.6.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.6.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">yet it stores its provisions in summer</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.6.8"><span class="content">and gathers its food at harvest.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.6.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.6.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">How long will you lie there, you sluggard?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.6.9"><span class="content">When will you get up from your sleep?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.6.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.6.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">A little sleep, a little slumber,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.6.10"><span class="content">a little folding of the hands to rest&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.6.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.6.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">and poverty will come on you like a thief</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.6.11"><span class="content">and scarcity like an armed man.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.6.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.6.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">A troublemaker and a villain,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.6.12"><span class="content">who goes about with a corrupt mouth,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.6.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.6.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">who winks maliciously with his eye,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.6.13"><span class="content">signals with his feet</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.6.13"><span class="content">and motions with his fingers,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.6.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.6.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">who plots evil with deceit in his heart&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.6.14"><span class="content">he always stirs up conflict.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.6.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.6.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.6.15"><span class="content">he will suddenly be destroyed&#8212;without remedy.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.6.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.6.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">There are six things the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> hates,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.6.16"><span class="content">seven that are detestable to him:</span></span></div><div class="q3"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.6.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.6.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">haughty eyes,</span></span></div><div class="q3"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.6.17"><span class="content">a lying tongue,</span></span></div><div class="q3"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.6.17"><span class="content">hands that shed innocent blood,</span></span></div><div class="q3"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.6.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.6.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">a heart that devises wicked schemes,</span></span></div><div class="q3"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.6.18"><span class="content">feet that are quick to rush into evil,</span></span></div><div class="q3"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.6.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.6.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">a false witness who pours out lies</span></span></div><div class="q3"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.6.19"><span class="content">and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Warning Against Adultery</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.6.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.6.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">My son, keep your father&#8217;s command</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.6.20"><span class="content">and do not forsake your mother&#8217;s teaching.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.6.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.6.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Bind them always on your heart;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.6.21"><span class="content">fasten them around your neck.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.6.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.6.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">When you walk, they will guide you;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.6.22"><span class="content">when you sleep, they will watch over you;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.6.22"><span class="content">when you awake, they will speak to you.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.6.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.6.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">For this command is a lamp,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.6.23"><span class="content">this teaching is a light,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.6.23"><span class="content">and correction and instruction</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.6.23"><span class="content">are the way to life,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.6.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.6.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">keeping you from your neighbor&#8217;s wife,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.6.24"><span class="content">from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.6.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.6.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Do not lust in your heart after her beauty</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.6.25"><span class="content">or let her captivate you with her eyes.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.6.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.6.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.6.26"><span class="content">but another man&#8217;s wife preys on your very life.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.6.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.6.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Can a man scoop fire into his lap</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.6.27"><span class="content">without his clothes being burned?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.6.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.6.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">Can a man walk on hot coals</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.6.28"><span class="content">without his feet being scorched?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.6.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="PRO.6.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">So is he who sleeps with another man&#8217;s wife;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="PRO.6.29"><span class="content">no one who touches her will go unpunished.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="PRO.6.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PRO.6.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">People do not despise a thief if he steals</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PRO.6.30"><span class="content">to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PRO.6.30"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="PRO.6.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="PRO.6.31"><span class="content">though it costs him all the wealth of his house.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="PRO.6.31"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="PRO.6.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">But a man who commits adultery has no sense;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="PRO.6.32"><span class="content">whoever does so destroys himself.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="PRO.6.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="PRO.6.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">Blows and disgrace are his lot,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="PRO.6.33"><span class="content">and his shame will never be wiped away.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="PRO.6.33"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="PRO.6.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">For jealousy arouses a husband&#8217;s fury,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="PRO.6.34"><span class="content">and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="PRO.6.34"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="PRO.6.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">He will not accept any compensation;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="PRO.6.35"><span class="content">he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.</span></span></div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkJAS">
      <div class="chapter ch2" data-usfm="JAS.2">
         <div class="label">2</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Favoritism Forbidden</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="JAS.2.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="JAS.2.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">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. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="JAS.2.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, &#8220;Here&#8217;s a good seat for you,&#8221; but say to the poor man, &#8220;You stand there&#8221; or &#8220;Sit on the floor by my feet,&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="JAS.2.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="JAS.2.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="JAS.2.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">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? </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JAS.2.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">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? </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="JAS.2.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="JAS.2.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="JAS.2.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, &#8220;Love your neighbor as yourself,&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:8 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" data-usfm="LEV.19.18">Lev. 19:18</span></span></span></span><span class="content"> you are doing right. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="JAS.2.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="JAS.2.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="JAS.2.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">For he who said, &#8220;You shall not commit adultery,&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:11 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" data-usfm="EXO.20.14">Exodus 20:14</span>; <span class="ref" data-usfm="DEU.5.18">Deut. 5:18</span></span></span></span><span class="content"> also said, &#8220;You shall not murder.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:11 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" data-usfm="EXO.20.13">Exodus 20:13</span>; <span class="ref" data-usfm="DEU.5.17">Deut. 5:17</span></span></span></span><span class="content"> If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="JAS.2.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="JAS.2.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="JAS.2.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Faith and Deeds</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="JAS.2.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="JAS.2.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="JAS.2.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="JAS.2.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">If one of you says to them, &#8220;Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,&#8221; but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="JAS.2.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="JAS.2.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JAS.2.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">But someone will say, &#8220;You have faith; I have deeds.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JAS.2.18"><span class="content">Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="JAS.2.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that&#8212;and shudder.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="JAS.2.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="JAS.2.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:20 </span><span class="ft">Some early manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">dead</span></span></span><span class="content">? </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="JAS.2.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="JAS.2.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="JAS.2.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">And the scripture was fulfilled that says, &#8220;Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:23 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" data-usfm="GEN.15.6">Gen. 15:6</span></span></span></span><span class="content"> and he was called God&#8217;s friend. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="JAS.2.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="JAS.2.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="JAS.2.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="JAS.2.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.</span></span></div>
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