Study Desk

But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison.

But if in your heart you are jealous, bitter, and selfish, don't sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom.

But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy.

You want things, but you cannot have them, so you are ready to kill; you strongly desire things, but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it.

But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Do not criticize one another, my friends. If you criticize or judge another Christian, you criticize and judge the Law. If you judge the Law, then you are no longer one who obeys the Law, but one who judges it.

But now you are proud, and you boast; all such boasting is wrong.

God revealed to these prophets that their work was not for their own benefit, but for yours, as they spoke about those things which you have now heard from the messengers who announced the Good News by the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things which even the angels would like to understand.

but the word of the Lord remains forever." This word is the Good News that was proclaimed to you.

Come to the Lord, the living stone rejected by people as worthless but chosen by God as valuable.

This stone is of great value for you that believe; but for those who do not believe: "The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all."

But you are the chosen race, the King's priests, the holy nation, God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light.

At one time you were not God's people, but now you are his people; at one time you did not know God's mercy, but now you have received his mercy.

Live as free people; do not, however, use your freedom to cover up any evil, but live as God's slaves.

You servants must submit yourselves to your masters and show them complete respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

For what credit is there if you endure the beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering even when you have done right, God will bless you for it.

When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge.

You were like sheep that had lost their way, but now you have been brought back to follow the Shepherd and Keeper of your souls.

For the Lord watches over the righteous and listens to their prayers; but he opposes those who do evil."

But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy you are! Do not be afraid of anyone, and do not worry.