# The Teaching of James and Jesus Several times in the Letter of James we hear the voice of Jesus. The Lord\'s words are never quoted verbatim, but many instructions read like paraphrases of the teachings of Jesus, especially those preserved in the Gospel of Matthew. The majority echo sayings from the Sermon on the Mount in Mt 5-7. Below are some of the more obvious parallels. **Jas 1:4** \"And . that you may be *perfect* and complete, lacking in nothing.\" **Mt 5:48** \"You, therefore, must be *perfect,* as your heavenly Father is perfect.\" **Jas 1:5** \"*L*et him *ask* God, who *gives* to all men generously \" **Mt 7:7** *\"Ask,* and it will be *given* you \" **Jas 1:22** \"But be *doers* of the word, and not *hearers* only \" **Mt 7:24** \"Every one . who *hears* these words of mine and *does* them \" **Jas 2:5** \"Has not God chosen those who are *poor* . to be . heirs of the *kingdom \"* **Mt 5:3** \"Blessed are the *poor* in spirit, for theirs is the *kingdom* of heaven.\" **Jas 2:13** \"For judgment is without *mercy* to one who has *shown* no *mercy * \" **Mt 5:7** \"Blessed are *the merciful,* for they shall obtain *mercy.\"* **Jas 3:18** \"And the harvest of righteousness is sown . by *those who make peace.\"* **Mt 5:9** \"Blessed are *the peacemakers,* for they shall be called sons of God.\" **Jas 5:2-3** \"*G*arments are moth-eaten . gold and silver have *rusted* . laid up *treasure \"* **Mt 6:19** \"Do not lay up for yourselves *treasures* . where *moth* and *rust* consume \" **Jas 5:10** \"As an example of suffering and patience, brethren, take *the prophets * \" **Mt 5:12** \"*F*or so men persecuted *the prophets* who were before you.\" **Jas 5:12** \"*D*o *not swear* . but let your *yes be yes* and your *no be no .\"* **Mt 5:34, 37** \"Do *not swear* at all . Let what you say be simply \'Yes\' or \'No\' \" --- > Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, *The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament*, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2010).