James 2:1–13

¹My brethren, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, Lord of glory, with respect of persons: ²for if there come unto your synagogue a man with a gold ring in splendid apparel, and a poor man also come in in vile apparel, ³and ye look upon him who wears the splendid apparel, and say, Do thou sit here well, and say to the poor, Do thou stand there, or sit here under my footstool: ⁴have ye not made a difference among yourselves, and become judges having evil thoughts? ⁵Hear, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor as to the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him? ⁶But ye have despised the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and do not they drag you before the tribunals? ⁷And do not they blaspheme the excellent name which has been called upon you?

⁸If indeed ye keep the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well. ⁹But if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰For whoever shall keep the whole law and shall offend in one point, he has come under the guilt of breaking all. ¹¹For he who said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become transgressor of the law. ¹²So speak ye, and so act, as those that are to be judged by the law of liberty; ¹³for judgment will be without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.