James 2:17-26

WNT(i) 17 So also faith, if it is unaccompanied by obedience, has no life in it--so long as it stands alone. 18 Nay, some one will say, "You have faith, I have actions: prove to me your faith apart from corresponding actions and I will prove mine to you by my actions. 19 You believe that God is one, and you are quite right: evil spirits also believe this, and shudder." 20 But, idle boaster, are you willing to be taught how it is that faith apart from obedience is worthless? Take the case of Abraham our forefather. 21 Was it, or was it not, because of his actions that he was declared to be righteous as the result of his having offered up his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 You notice that his faith was co-operating with his actions, and that by his actions his faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND HIS FAITH WAS PLACED TO HIS CREDIT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he received the name of 'God's friend.' 24 You all see that it is because of actions that a man is pronounced righteous, and not simply because of faith. 25 In the same way also was not the notorious sinner Rahab declared to be righteous because of her actions when she welcomed the spies and hurriedly helped them to escape another way? 26 For just as a human body without a spirit is lifeless, so also faith is lifeless if it is unaccompanied by obedience.