We are justified by faith; yet this must not
lessen our care to live a virtuous life,
nor our pleasure in it.
WHAT shall we do therefore,
brethren? Shall we be slothful
in well-doing, and lay aside
our charity? God forbid that any
such thing should be done by us.
2 But rather let us hasten with
all earnestness and readiness of
mind, to perfect every good work.
For even the Creator and Lord of
all things himself rejoices in his
own works.
3 By his Almighty power he
fixed the heavens, and by his
incomprehensible wisdom he
adorned them.
4 He also divided the earth
from the water, with which it is
encompassed: and fixed it as a
secure tower, upon the foundation
of his own will.
5 He also by his appointment,
commanded all the living creatures
that are upon it, to exist.
6 So likewise the sea, and all
the creatures that are in it;
having first created them, he
enclosed them therein by his power.
7 And above all, he with his
holy and pure hands, formed man,
the most excellent; and, as to his
understanding, truly the greatest
of all other creatures; the character
of his own image.
8 For thus God says; Let us
make man in our image, after our
own likeness; so God created man,
male and female created he them.
9 And having thus finished all
these things, he commended all
that he had made, and blessed
them, and said, increase and
multiply.
10 We see how all righteous men
have been adorned with good works
Wherefore even the Lord himself,
having adorned himself with his
works, rejoiced.
11 Having therefore such an
example, let us without delay,
fulfil his will; and with all
our strength, work the work of
righteousness.