“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.” (James 2:1-26 AV)
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