James 1:22-2:6

English Standard Version

²² But be ^(A)doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ²⁵ But the one who looks into the perfect law, ^(B)the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, ^(C)he will be blessed in his doing.

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious ^(D)and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's ^(E)religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: ^(F)to visit ^(G)orphans and widows in their affliction, and ^(H)to keep oneself ^(I)unstained from the world.

The Sin of Partiality

2 My brothers,^{[a] (J)}show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(K)the Lord of glory. ² For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, ³ and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” ^(L)while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” ⁴ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become ^(M)judges with evil thoughts? ⁵ Listen, my beloved brothers, ^(N)has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be ^(O)rich in faith and heirs of ^(P)the kingdom, ^(Q)which he has promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you ^(R)have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who ^(S)drag you ^(T)into court?