< James 2 >
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partial regard for persons.
2 For if there enter into your synagogue a man having gold rings on his fingers, and with splendid clothing, and there enter likewise a poor man, with sordid apparel;
3 and you look on him who has the splendid clothing, and say, Sit you here honorably; and to the poor man, Stand you there; or, Sit here at my footstool:
4 are you not, then, partial among yourselves, and have become judges who reason wickedly?
5 Hearken, beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor of the world--rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them who love him?
6 Do not the rich exceedingly oppress you, and themselves drag you to the judgment seats?
7 Do not they defame that excellent name which is named on you?
8 If, now, indeed, you fulfill a royal law, according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well.
9 But if you have respect of persons, you commit sin, being convicted by the law of transgressors.
10 For whoever will keep the whole law, yet fails in one point, has become guilty of all.
11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," has also said, "Do not kill." Now if you do not commit adultery, yet if you kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak, and so do, as those who shall be judged by a law of liberty;
13 for judgment without mercy, will be to him who showed no mercy: but mercy exults over judgment.
14 What is the advantage, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? Can faith save him?
15 For if a brother or a sister be naked, or destitute of daily food,
16 and any one of you say to him, Depart in peace: be warmed, and be filled; yet give him none of the things needful for the body, what is the advantage?
17 So, also, faith, if it have not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Also, one may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God; you do well: even the demons believe and tremble.
20 Besides, would you know, O vain man, that faith, without works, is dead?
21 Was not Abraham, our father, justified by works, when he had lifted up Isaac, his son, upon the altar?
22 You see that his faith co-operated with his works, and by works his faith was perfected.
23 And so that scripture was fulfilled, which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God."
24 You see, that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 And in like manner, also, was not Rahab, the harlot, justified by works, having secretly received the messengers, and having sent them away by another road.
26 For, as the body, without the spirit, is dead, so, also, faith, without works, is dead.
