James 1:21-2:24

New International Version

²¹ Therefore, get rid of^(A) all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,^(B) which can save you.

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.^{(C) 23} Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,^(D) and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.^(E)

²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues^(F) deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after^(G) orphans and widows^(H) in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.^(I)

Favoritism Forbidden

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious^(J) Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.^{(K) 2} Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges^(L) with evil thoughts?

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:^(M) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world^(N) to be rich in faith^(O) and to inherit the kingdom^(P) he promised those who love him?^{(Q) 6} But you have dishonored the poor.^(R) Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?^{(S) 7} Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”^[a](T) you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism,^(U) you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.^{(V) 10} For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles^(W) at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.^{(X) 11} For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”^[b](Y) also said, “You shall not murder.”^[c](Z) 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^(AA) by the law that gives freedom,^{(AB) 13} because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.^(AC) 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?^(AD) Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.^{(AE) 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?^{(AF) 17} In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.^(AG)

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

Show me your faith without deeds,^(AH) and I will show you my faith^(AI) by my deeds.^{(AJ) 19} You believe that there is one God.^(AK) Good! Even the demons believe that^(AL)—and shudder.

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