Do not be a Respecter of Persons
MY brothers, have not respect of persons in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
2 For if there comes into your synagogue a man wearing a gold ring, in splendid apparel, and there comes in also a poor man in dirty clothing;
3 And you show respect to him that wears the splendid clothing, and say to him: You sit here in a good place; and say to the poor: You stand there, or sit here under my footstool;
4 Are you not then partial in yourselves, and becoming judges of evil thoughts?
5 ¶ Listen, my beloved brothers: Has God not chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those that love him?
6 But you have dishonoured the poor. Do not the rich oppress you, and drag you before the judgment seats?
7 Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by which you are called?
8 If you fulfil the royal law according to the scripture: Love your neighbour as yourself, you do well;
9 But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, and are convicted of the law as transgressors.
10 ¶ For whosoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, becomes guilty of all.
11 Because he that said: Do not commit adultery, also said: Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 Thus speak, and so do, as those that will be judged by the law of liberty.
13 Because the judgment will be without mercy, to those that have shown no mercy; and mercy triumphs over judgment.
Faith Without Works is Dead
14 ¶ What does it profit, my brothers, though a man says he has faith and has not works? This faith is unable to save him!
15 Now, if a brother or sister be poorly clothed, and without daily food,
16 And one of you say to them: Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; not withstanding you do not give them those things which are necessary for the body; what does it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it does not produce works, is dead, being alone.
18 Rather, a man says: You have faith, and I have works! Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works!
19 You believe that there is one God! You do well: the demons also believe, and tremble.
20 ¶ And do you wish to know, O foolish man, that faith apart from works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by means of works, when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 See how faith worked together with his works; and by means of works, his faith was made complete?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which said: “Abraham trusted God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.
24 ¶ You see then, how that by works a man is declared righteous, and not by faith alone!
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also declared righteous by works, when she received the messengers, and sent them out a different way?
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead also.