James 2

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.⋮

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;⋮

3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:⋮

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?⋮

5 Hearken, 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?⋮

6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?⋮

7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the 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 have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.⋮

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.⋮

11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.⋮

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.⋮

13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.⋮

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have 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 unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?⋮

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.⋮

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.⋮

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.⋮

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?⋮

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?⋮

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?⋮

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.⋮

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.⋮

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?⋮

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.⋮