We have been made right with God because of our faith.

So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God's grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God's glory.

And we are also happy with the troubles we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient.

And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope.

And this hope will never disappoint us.

We know this because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit he gave us.

Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves.

We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us.

But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.

My son, don't forget my teaching. Remember what I tell you to do. What I teach will give you a good, long life, and all will go well for you. Don't ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else. Trust the LORD completely, and don't depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.

Don't trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the LORD and stay away from evil. If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body. Honor the LORD with your wealth and the first part of your harvest. Then your barns will be full of grain, and your barrels will be overflowing with wine. My son, don't reject the LORD'S discipline, and don't be angry when he corrects you. The LORD corrects the one he loves, just as a father corrects a child he cares about.

My brothers and sisters, if a person claims to have faith but does nothing, that faith is worth nothing. Faith like that cannot save anyone. Suppose a brother or sister in Christ comes to you in need of clothes or something to eat. And you say to them, "God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat," but you don't give them the things they need. If you don't help them, your words are worthless. It is the same with faith. I f it is just faith and nothing more—if it doesn't do anything—it is dead.

But someone might argue, "Some people have faith, and others have good works." My answer would be that you can't show me your faith if you don't do anything. But I will show you my faith by the good I do. You believe there is one God. That's good, but even the demons believe that! And they shake with fear. You fool! Faith that does nothing is worth nothing. Do you want me to prove this to you?

Two days later Jesus left and went to Galilee. (Jesus had said before that a prophet is not respected in his own country.) When he arrived in Galilee, the people there welcomed him. They had been at the Passover festival in Jerusalem and had seen everything he did there. Jesus went to visit Cana in Galilee again. Cana is where he had changed the water into wine. One of the king's important officials lived in the city of Capernaum. This man's son was sick.

The man heard that Jesus had come from Judea and was now in Galilee. So he went to Jesus and begged him to come to Capernaum and heal his son, who was almost dead. Jesus said to him, "You people must see miraculous signs and wonders before you will believe in me." The king's official said, "Sir, come before my little son dies." Jesus answered, "Go. Your son will live."

The man believed what Jesus told him and went home. On the way home, the man's servants came and met him. They said, "Your son is well." The man asked, "What time did my son begin to get well?" They answered, "It was about one o'clock yesterday when the fever left him." The father knew that one o'clock was the same time that Jesus had said, "Your son will live." So the man and everyone in his house believed in Jesus. That was the second miraculous sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee.