James 2:2-9

English Standard Version

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,” ^(A)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 ^(B)judges with evil thoughts? ⁵ Listen, my beloved brothers, ^(C)has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be ^(D)rich in faith and heirs of ^(E)the kingdom, ^(F)which he has promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you ^(G)have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who ^(H)drag you ^(I)into court? ⁷ Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable ^(J)name by which you were called?

⁸ If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ^(K)“You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. ⁹ But if you ^(L)show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.