James 2

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

1My brethren, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [Lord] of glory, with respect of persons:

2For 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;

2for if there come unto your synagogue a man with a gold ring in splendid apparel, and a poor man also come in in vile apparel,

3And 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:

3and ye look upon him who wears the splendid apparel, and say, Do thou sit here well, and say to the poor, Do thou stand there, or sit here under my footstool:

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

4have ye not made a difference among yourselves, and become judges having evil thoughts?

5Hearken, 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?

5Hear, my beloved brethren: Has notGod chosen the poor as to the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him?

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

6But ye have despised the poor [man]. Do not the rich oppress you, and [do not] they drag you before [the] tribunals?

7Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

7And [do not] they blaspheme the excellent name which has been called upon you?

8If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

8If indeed ye keep [the] royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.

9But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

9But if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

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

10For whoever shall keep the whole law and shall offend in one [point], he has come under the guilt of [breaking] all.

11For 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.

11For he who said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become transgressor of [the] law.

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

12So speak ye, and so act, as those that are to be judged by [the] law of liberty;

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

13for judgment [will be] without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.

14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

14What [is] the profit, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? can faith save him?

15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

15Now if a brother or a sister is naked and destitute of daily food,

16And 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?

16and one from amongst you say to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled; but give not to them the needful things for the body, what [is] the profit?

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

17So also faith, if it have not works, is dead by itself.

18Yea, 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.

18But some one will say, Thou hast faith and I have works. Shew me thy faith without works, and I from my works will shew thee my faith.

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

19Thou believest thatGod is one. Thou doest well. The demons even believe, and tremble.

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

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

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

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

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

22Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and that by works faith was perfected.

23And 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.

23And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believedGod, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend ofGod.

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

24Ye see that a man is justified on the principle of works, and not on the principle of faith only.

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

25But was not in like manner also Rahab the harlot justified on the principle of works, when she had received the messengers and put [them] forth by another way?

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

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