My brothers , as you hold out (your) faith in our vvv glorious Lord Jesus Christ , {do} not (show) favoritism.
vvv Suppose a man comes into your meeting (wearing) a gold ring (and) fine clothes , and a poor (man) in shabby clothes also comes in.
(If) you lavish attention on the (man) in - - fine clothes and say , “ - Here (is) a seat of honor , ” (but) say to the poor (man) , “ You must stand ” or “ Sit vvv at my - feet , ”
- vvv have you not discriminated among yourselves and become Judges - (with) evil thoughts ?
Listen , my beloved brothers : {Has} not - God chosen the poor - of this world (to be) rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom - He promised those who love Him ?
But you have dishonored the poor. (Is it) not the rich who oppress you and - drag you into court ?
{Are} they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you - have been called ?
If vvv you really fulfill (the) royal law stated in - Scripture , “ Love your - neighbor as yourself ,” you are doing well.
But if you show favoritism , you sin (and) are convicted by the law as transgressors.
- Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one (point) is guilty of (breaking) all of it.
For He who said , vvv “ Do not commit adultery ,” also said , “ vvv Do not murder.” - If vvv you do not commit adultery , but do commit murder , you have become vvv a lawbreaker.
- Speak and - act as those who are going to be judged by (the) law that gives freedom.
For - judgment without mercy ( will be shown to ) anyone who vvv has not been merciful .... Mercy triumphs over judgment.
What - good (is it) , my brothers , if someone claims to have faith , but has no deeds ? vvv Can such faith save him ?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and - - daily food.
(If) one of you tells him , “ Go in peace ; stay warm and well fed , ” but {does} not provide for ... (his) - physical needs , what - good ( is that ) ?
So too , - faith by itself , if it does not result ... in action , is dead.
But someone will say , “ You have faith and I have deeds. ” Show me your - faith without - deeds , and I will show you (my) faith by my - deeds.
You believe that God is - one. Good for you ! Even the demons believe (that) — and shudder.
O foolish man , - do you want evidence that - faith without - deeds is worthless ?
{Was} not our - father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his - son Isaac on the altar ?
You see that (his) faith was working with his - actions , and (his) faith was perfected by what he did.
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says , “ - Abraham believed - God , and it was credited to him as righteousness ,” and he was called a friend of God.
As you can see - , a man is justified by (his) deeds and not by faith alone.
vvv In the same way , {was} not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent (them) off on another route ?
- As the body without (the) spirit is dead , so - - faith without deeds is dead.