LO - James - 2

2:1  My brethren, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partial regard for persons.

2:2  For if there enter into your synagogue a man having gold rings on his fingers, and with splendid clothing, and there enter likewise a poor man, with sordid apparel;

2:3  and you look on him who has the splendid clothing, and say, Sit you here honorably; and to the poor man, Stand you there; or, Sit here at my footstool:

2:4  are you not, then, partial among yourselves, and have become judges who reason wickedly?

2:5  Hearken, beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor of the world--rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them who love him?

2:6  Do not the rich exceedingly oppress you, and themselves drag you to the judgment seats?

2:7  Do not they defame that excellent name which is named on you?

2:8  If, now, indeed, you fulfill a royal law, according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well.

2:9  But if you have respect of persons, you commit sin, being convicted by the law of transgressors.

2:10  For whoever will keep the whole law, yet fails in one point, has become guilty of all.

2:11  For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," has also said, "Do not kill." Now if you do not commit adultery, yet if you kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.

2:12  So speak, and so do, as those who shall be judged by a law of liberty;

2:13  for judgment without mercy, will be to him who showed no mercy: but mercy exults over judgment.

2:14  What is the advantage, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? Can faith save him?

2:15  For if a brother or a sister be naked, or destitute of daily food,

2:16  and any one of you say to him, Depart in peace: be warmed, and be filled; yet give him none of the things needful for the body, what is the advantage?

2:17  So, also, faith, if it have not works, is dead, being alone.

2:18  Also, one may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

2:19  You believe that there is one God; you do well: even the demons believe and tremble.

2:20  Besides, would you know, O vain man, that faith, without works, is dead?

2:21  Was not Abraham, our father, justified by works, when he had lifted up Isaac, his son, upon the altar?

2:22  You see that his faith co-operated with his works, and by works his faith was perfected.

2:23  And so that scripture was fulfilled, which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God."

2:24  You see, that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

2:25  And in like manner, also, was not Rahab, the harlot, justified by works, having secretly received the messengers, and having sent them away by another road.

2:26  For, as the body, without the spirit, is dead, so, also, faith, without works, is dead.