James 2:1-13

WNT(i) 1 My brethren, you must not make distinctions between one man and another while you are striving to maintain faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our glory. 2 For suppose a man comes into one of your meetings wearing gold rings and fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man wearing shabby clothes, 3 and you pay court to the one who wears the fine clothes, and say, "Sit here; this is a good place;" while to the poor man you say, "Stand there, or sit on the floor at my feet;" 4 is it not plain that in your hearts you have little faith, seeing that you have become judges full of wrong thoughts? 5 Listen, my dearly-loved brethren. Has not God chosen those whom the world regards as poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which He has promised to those that love Him? 6 But *you* have put dishonour upon the poor man. Yet is it not the rich who grind you down? Are not they the very people who drag you into the Law courts? -- 7 and the very people who speak evil of the noble Name by which you are called? 8 If, however, you are keeping the Law as supreme, in obedience to the Commandment which says "YOU ARE TO LOVE YOUR FELLOW MAN JUST AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF," you are acting rightly. 9 But if you are making distinctions between one man and another, you are guilty of sin, and are convicted by the Law as offenders. 10 A man who has kept the Law as a whole, but has failed to keep some one command, has become guilty of violating all. 11 For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER," and if you are a murderer, although not an adulterer, you have become an offender against the Law. 12 Speak and act as those should who are expecting to be judged by the Law of freedom. 13 For he who shows no mercy will have judgement given against him without mercy; but mercy triumphs over judgement.