James 2:1–9

Beware of Personal Favoritism

2 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, athe Lord of glory, with bpartiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in 1fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in 2filthy clothes, 3 and you 3pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not 4shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my beloved brethren: cHas God not chosen the poor of this world to be drich in faith and heirs of the kingdom ewhich He promised to those who love Him? 6 But fyou have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you gand drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are hcalled?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, i“You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you 5show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as jtransgressors.