James 2:14-3:18

New International Version

Faith and Deeds

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?^(A) Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.^{(B) 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?^{(C) 17} In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.^(D)

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds,^(E) and I will show you my faith^(F) by my deeds.^{(G) 19} You believe that there is one God.^(H) Good! Even the demons believe that^(I)—and shudder.

²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless^[a]?^{(J) 21} Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?^{(K) 22} You see that his faith and his actions were working together,^(L) and his faith was made complete by what he did.^{(M) 23} And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”^[b](N) and he was called God’s friend.^{(O) 24} You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?^{(P) 26} As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.^(Q)

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers,^(R) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged^(S) more strictly.^{(T) 2} We all stumble^(U) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say^(V) is perfect,^(W) able to keep their whole body in check.^(X)

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.^{(Y) 4} Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.^(Z) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire,^(AA) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,^(AB) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.^(AC)

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.^(AD)

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.^{(AE) 10} Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?^(AF) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it^(AG) by their good life, by deeds^(AH) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^(AI) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^{(AJ) 15} Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^(AK) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(AL) 16} For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(AM) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven^(AN) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,^(AO) considerate, submissive, full of mercy^(AP) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.^{(AQ) 18} Peacemakers^(AR) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.^(AS)