Chapter 2

  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.  

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  For if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;  

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  And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say to him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:  

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  Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?  

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  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?  

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  But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment-seats?  

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  Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?  

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  If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:  

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  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.  

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  For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  

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  For he that said, Do not commit adultery; said also, Do not kill. Now if thou committest no adultery, yet if thou killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law.  

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  So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.  

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  For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shown no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.  

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  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man sayeth he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?  

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  If a brother or sister is naked, and destitute of daily food,  

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  And one of you sayeth to them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  

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  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  

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  Also a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.  

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  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and tremble.  

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  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  

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  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  

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  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  

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  And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  

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  Ye see then that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.  

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  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  

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  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  

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