James 2:12-23
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 2
12So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. 13For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
14What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
16and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,' yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
17In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18But someone may well say, 'You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.'
19You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
20But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless?
21Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
22You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED God, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,' and he was called a friend of God.
King James Version
Chapter 2
12So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 2
12Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. 13For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
15If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food
16and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed," but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?
17In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.
18But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.
19You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.
20Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?
21Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar?
22You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete,
23and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.
New Living Translation
Chapter 2
12So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
14What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
15Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,
16and you say, 'Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well' — but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
19You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
20How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
21Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.
23And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: 'Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.' He was even called the friend of God.
English Standard Version
Chapter 2
12So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!
20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
23and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" — and he was called a friend of God.
New International Version
Chapter 2
12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
15Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
16If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?
21Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God’s friend.
New King James Version
Chapter 2
12So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
