Chapter 2

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

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  For if there shall come into your assembly a man having a golden ring, in fine apparel, and there shall come in also a poor man in mean attire,  

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  And you have respect to him that is clothed with the fine apparel, and shall say to him: Sit thou here well; but say to the poor man: Stand thou there, or sit under my footstool:  

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  Do you not judge within yourselves, and are become judges of unjust thoughts?  

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

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  But you have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you by might? and do not they draw you before the judgment seats?  

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  Do not they blaspheme the good name that is invoked upon you?  

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  If then you fulfil the royal law, according to the scriptures, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; you do well.  

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  But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, being reproved by the law as transgressors.  

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  And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all.  

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  For he that said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou do not commit adultery, but shalt kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.  

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  So speak ye, and so do, as being to be judged by the law of liberty.  

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  For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And mercy exalteth itself above judgment.  

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  What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him?  

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  And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food:  

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  And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit?  

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  So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself.  

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  But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without works; and I will shew thee, by works, my faith.  

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  Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils 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, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar?  

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  Seest thou, that faith did co-operate with his works; and by works faith was made perfect?  

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  And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God.  

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  Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only?  

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  And in like manner also Rahab the harlot, was not she justified by works, receiving the messengers, and sending them out another way?  

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

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