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, "You have 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.