| 章 |
| 2:1 |
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.
|
| 2:2 |
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.
|
| 2:3 |
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,"
|
| 2:4 |
have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
|
| 2:5 |
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
|
| 2:6 |
But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
|
| 2:7 |
Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
|
| 2:8 |
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.
|
| 2:9 |
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
|
| 2:10 |
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
|
| 2:11 |
For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
|
| 2:12 |
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
|
| 2:13 |
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
|
| 2:14 |
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
|
| 2:15 |
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
|
| 2:16 |
If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
|
| 2:17 |
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
|
| 2:18 |
But someone will say, "Youhave faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
|
| 2:19 |
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.
|
| 2:20 |
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
|
| 2:21 |
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
|
| 2:22 |
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
|
| 2:23 |
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.
|
| 2:24 |
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
|
| 2:25 |
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?
|
| 2:26 |
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
|
