James Chapter II.

[ 1 We must not regard the rich, and despise the poor. 10 The guilt of any
one breach of the law. 17 Faith without works is dead.]



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 judgement
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 neighbor as thyself, ye 
do well:
9 But if ye 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 are 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 showed 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.