Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:(A) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world(B) to be rich in faith(C) and to inherit the kingdom(D) he promised those who love him?(E) But you have dishonored the poor.(F) Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?(G) Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a](H) you are doing right. But if you show favoritism,(I) you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.(J) 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles(K) at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.(L) 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b](M) also said, “You shall not murder.”[c](N) If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged(O) by the law that gives freedom,(P) 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.(Q) Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?(R) Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.(S) 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?(T)

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Footnotes

  1. James 2:8 Lev. 19:18
  2. James 2:11 Exodus 20:14; Deut. 5:18
  3. James 2:11 Exodus 20:13; Deut. 5:17

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