James 2

All 26 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1My brothers, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with favoritism.
2. 2Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.
3. 3If you give special attention to the well-dressed man and say, "Here, take this excellent seat," but tell the poor man, "Stand over there," or "Sit on the floor by my feet" —
4. 4haven't you then shown partiality among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5. 5Listen, my beloved brothers, Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?
6. 6But you've dishonored the poor. Don't the rich oppress you and drag you into court?
7. 7Aren't they the ones who blaspheme the noble name of the one you belong to?
8. 8If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well.
9. 9But if you show favoritism, you commit sin, and the law convicts you as a transgressor.
10. 10Because whoever obeys the entire law but breaks it at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
11. 11For the one who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not kill." So if you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12. 12So speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
13. 13Because anyone who refuses to show mercy will face judgment without mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.
14. 14My brothers, what good is it if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15. 15If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food,
16. 16If one of you says to them, "Go in peace! Stay warm and eat well," but doesn't give them what they actually need — what good does that do?
17. 17In the same way, faith without works is dead by itself.
18. 18Someone might argue, "You have faith, and I have works." Fine — show me your faith without any works, and I'll show you my faith by what I do.
19. 19You believe that there is one God; you do well. Even the demons believe that—and tremble.
20. 20But do you want to know, you empty man, that faith without works is dead?
21. 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22. 22You can see that his faith and his actions worked hand in hand — his faith was made complete by what he did.
23. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness." He was also called the Friend of God.
24. 24You see then that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25. 25In the same way, wasn't Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route?
26. 26Just as a body without a spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.