James 2

1 My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, of glory, in a respect of persons. 2 For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring in fine clothes, and there come in also a poor in a mean habit; 3 and ye turn your eyes toward him that weareth the fine clothes, and say to him, Sit thou here in an honorable place; and say to the poor Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 do ye not make a difference within yourselves, and become judges that reason wickedly? 5 Hear, my beloved brethren; hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which He hath promised to them that love Him? but ye have slighted the poor. 6 Do not the rich tyrannize over you; and drag you to tribunals? 7 Do they not blaspheme the glorious name by which ye are called? 8 If ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well. 9 But if ye respect persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law but offend in one he is under the penalty of all: 11 for He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou do not commit adultery, but committest murder, thou art a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgement without mercy, that hath not shewn mercy: but mercy triumpheth over judgement. 14 What the advantage, my brethren, if any say that he has faith, and he hath not works, can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food; 16 and one of you say to them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and be ye filled: but ye give them not the necessaries of life, what profit 17 so faith, if it have not works, being alone, is dead. 18 But one may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith by thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble. 20 But desirest thou to know, O vain man, that faith without works, is dead? 21 Was not our father Abraham justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 Thou seest that faith co-operated with his works, and by works faith was perfected. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. 24 Ye see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 And in like manner also was not the harlot Rahab justified by works, when she entertained the spies, and let them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.