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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.
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