[9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

[10] For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

[11] He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

[13] Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

[14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”

[15] But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

[16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

[17] It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

[18] For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

[19] through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison

[20] who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

[21] and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

[22] who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand —with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

[2]  Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 

[3]  Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 

[4]  Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

[5]  You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.

 [6]  You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.

[7]  Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 

[8]  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 

[9]  Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

[10]  Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

[11]  As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

[12]  Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.

[13]  Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

[14]  Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

[15]  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

[16]  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

[17]  Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

[18]  Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

[19]  My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,

[20]  remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.