16 From him came our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the flesh.
17 From him came the kings, and princes, and rulers in Judah.
18 Nor were the rest of his tribes in any little glory: God having promised that their seed shall be as the stars of heaven.
19 They were all therefore greatly glorified, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness that they themselves wrought, but through his will.
20 And we also being called by the same will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, neither by our own wisdom, or knowledge, or piety, or the works which we have done in the holiness of our hearts.
21 But by that faith, by which God Almighty has justified all men from the beginning; to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.
CHAPTER XV.
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.