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18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from works, and I by my works will show you faith.(A) 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder.(B) 20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is worthless?[a] 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?(C) 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and by works faith was brought to completion.(D) 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called the friend of God.(E) 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers[c] and sent them out by another road?(F) 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.

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Footnotes

  1. 2.20 Other ancient authorities read dead or empty
  2. 2.23 Or justice
  3. 2.25 Other ancient authorities read spies

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds,(A) and I will show you my faith(B) by my deeds.(C) 19 You believe that there is one God.(D) Good! Even the demons believe that(E)—and shudder.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]?(F) 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?(G) 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together,(H) and his faith was made complete by what he did.(I) 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b](J) and he was called God’s friend.(K) 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?(L) 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.(M)

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Footnotes

  1. James 2:20 Some early manuscripts dead
  2. James 2:23 Gen. 15:6