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

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious(J) Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.(K) 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. 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,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges(L) with evil thoughts?

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) 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) Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a](T) you are doing right. 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.

Footnotes

  1. James 2:8 Lev. 19:18
  2. James 2:11 Exodus 20:14; Deut. 5:18
  3. James 2:11 Exodus 20:13; Deut. 5:17
  4. James 2:20 Some early manuscripts dead
  5. James 2:23 Gen. 15:6

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