AUV(i)
17 In the same way, if [your] faith does not have [good] deeds [to accompany it], it is dead, [because it stands] alone.
18 But someone may say, “You have faith and I have [good] deeds.” [I reply], show me your faith without your [good] deeds, and I will show you my faith by my [good] deeds.
19 You believe that there is [only] one God; that is good! Even the demons believe [that], and they shudder [with fear at the thought].
20 But will you acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without [good] deeds is useless?
21 Was not our forefather Abraham made right with God by deeds [of obedience] when he offered his son Isaac [as a sacrifice] on the Altar?
22 [Do you not] see that faith cooperated together with his deeds, and faith was made complete by [his] deeds?
23 So, the Scripture was fulfilled, which says [Gen. 15:6], “Abraham believed God and [so] God considered him righteous,” and he was called God’s friend.
24 [So], you see, it is by deeds that a person is made right with God, and not by faith alone.
25 And in the same way, was not the prostitute Rahab made right with God by [her] deeds when she welcomed [and protected] the messengers, and [then] sent them away by a different road?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without [good] deeds is dead.