James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?

Was not our forefather Abraham made upright for his good deeds, for offering his son Isaac on the altar?

You see a man is made upright by his good deeds and not simply by having faith.

Was not even Rahab the prostitute made upright for her good deeds, in entertaining the scouts and sending them off by a different road?

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

You have given your decision against the upright man and have put him to death. He puts up no fight against you.

So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be cured. An upright man can do a great deal by prayer when he tries.