James 2

James rebukes favoritism toward the rich in the assembly and teaches that if a man shows respect of persons he commits sin. He argues that faith without works is dead, citing Abraham who was justified by works when he offered Isaac, and Rahab who was justified by works when she received the messengers — for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.	My brethren, do not hold 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;	For if there come to Your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there comes 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:	and You have respect to Him who wears the gay clothing, and say to Him, "Sit here in a good place"; and say to the poor, "Stand there," or, "Sit here under my footstool,"
4	Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?	are You not then partial in yourselves, and 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?	Listen, my beloved brethren, has not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him?
6	But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?	But You 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?	Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by which You are called?
8	If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:	If You fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love Your neighbor as Yourself," you do well;
9	But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.	but if You have respect to persons, You commit sin, and are convicted of the law as transgressors.
10	For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.	For whoever 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.	For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," said also, "Do not kill." Now if You commit no adultery, yet if You kill, You have become a transgressor of the law.
12	So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.	So speak, and so do, as those who 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.	For He shall have judgment without mercy who has shown no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment.
14	What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?	What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? Can faith save Him?
15	If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,	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?	and one of You say to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," notwithstanding You give them not those things which are needful to the body, what does it profit?
17	Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.	Even so faith, if it has 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.	Yes, a man 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.
19	Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.	You believe that there is one God; You do well. The devils also believe, and tremble.
20	But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?	But will You 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?	Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22	Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?	Do you see 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.	And the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to 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.	You 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?	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.	For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.