1So then, what shall we say that Abraham had achieved, who is our father according to the flesh? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he would have glory, but not with God. 3For what does Scripture say? “Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.” 4But for he who works, wages are not accounted according to grace, but according to debt. 5Yet truly, for he who does not work, but who believes in him who justifies the impious, his faith is reputed unto justice, according to the purpose of the grace of God. 6Similarly, David also declares the blessedness of a man, to whom God brings justice without works: 7“Blessed are they whose iniquities have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered. 8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin.”
2Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3Because I was silent, my bones grew old, while still I cried out all day long. 4For, day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. I have been converted in my anguish, while still the thorn is piercing. 5I have acknowledged my offense to you, and I have not concealed my injustice. I said, “I will confess against myself, my injustice to the Lord,” and you forgave the impiety of my sin. 6For this, everyone who is holy will pray to you in due time. Yet truly, in a flood of many waters, they will not draw near to him. 7You are my refuge from the tribulation that has surrounded me. You are my exultation: rescue me from those who are surrounding me. 8I will give you understanding, and I will instruct you in this way, in which you will walk. I will fix my eyes upon you. 9Do not become like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding. Their jaws are constrained with bit and bridle, so as not to draw near to you. 10Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy will surround him that hopes in the Lord. 11Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you just ones, and glory, all you upright of heart.
1Then, as great crowds were standing so close that they were stepping on one another, he began to say to his disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2For there is nothing covered, which will not be revealed, nor anything hidden, which will not be known. 3For the things that you have spoken in darkness will be declared in the light. And what you have said in the ear in bedrooms will be proclaimed from the housetops. 4So I say to you, my friends: Do not be fearful of those who kill the body, and afterwards have no more that they can do. 5But I will reveal to you whom you should fear. Fear him who, after he will have killed, has the power to cast into Hell. So I say to you: Fear him. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? And yet not one of these is forgotten in the sight of God. 7But even the very hairs of your head have all been numbered. Therefore, do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.