James 2
New International Version - James 2 << | >> 12345 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2:2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 2:3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet,' 2:4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 2:6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 2:7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. 2:9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 2:11 For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 2:12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 2:13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 2:15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 2:16 If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 2:18 But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? 2:21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 2:22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend. 2:24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.