1 M y brethren, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, of glory, with respect of persons:

2 f or if there come unto your synagogue a man with a gold ring in splendid apparel, and a poor man also come in in vile apparel,

3 a nd ye look upon him who wears the splendid apparel, and say, Do thou sit here well, and say to the poor, Do thou stand there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 h ave ye not made a difference among yourselves, and become judges having evil thoughts?

5 H ear, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor as to the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him?

6 B ut ye have despised the poor. Do not the rich oppress you, and they drag you before tribunals?

7 A nd they blaspheme the excellent name which has been called upon you?

8 I f indeed ye keep royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.

9 B ut if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

10 F or whoever shall keep the whole law and shall offend in one, he has come under the guilt of all.

11 F or he who said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become transgressor of law.

12 S o speak ye, and so act, as those that are to be judged by law of liberty;

13 f or judgment without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.

14 W hat the profit, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? can faith save him?

15 N ow if a brother or a sister is naked and destitute of daily food,

16 a nd one from amongst you say to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled; but give not to them the needful things for the body, what the profit?

17 S o also faith, if it have not works, is dead by itself.

18 B ut some one will say, Thou hast faith and I have works. Shew me thy faith without works, and I from my works will shew thee my faith.

19 T hou believest that God is one. Thou doest well. The demons even believe, and tremble.

20 B ut wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 W as not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 T hou seest that faith wrought with his works, and that by works faith was perfected.

23 A nd the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend of God.

24 Y e see that a man is justified on the principle of works, and not on the principle of faith only.

25 B ut was not in like manner also Rahab the harlot justified on the principle of works, when she had received the messengers and put forth by another way?

26 F or as the body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.