11 (A)Do not speak against one another, (B)brothers and sisters. The one who speaks against a brother or sister, or (C)judges his brother or sister, speaks against (D)the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not (E)a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one (F)Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is (G)able to save and to destroy; but (H)who are you, [a]judging your neighbor?

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Footnotes

  1. James 4:12 Lit the one judging

Warning against Judging Another

11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another speaks evil against the law and judges the law, but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.(A) 12 There is one lawgiver and judge[a] who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 4.12 Other ancient authorities lack and judge

11 Detract not one another, my brethren. He that detracteth his brother, or he that judgeth his brother, detracteth the law, and judgeth the law. But if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, and judge, that is able to destroy and to deliver.

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11-12 Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?

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