James 2:1-13 - Partiality Forbidden

¹ My brothers, have not the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with a respect of persons. ² For if there comes into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in splendid clothing, and there also comes in a poor man in vile clothing, ³ and you look upon him who wears the splendid clothing, and say to him, Sit here in a good place, and say to the poor man, Stand there, or sit under my footstool, ⁴ are you not condemned in yourselves and judges of evil thoughts?

⁵ Hear, my beloved brothers. Has not God chosen the poor of the world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you dishonor the poor. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you to tribunals? ⁷ And do they not blaspheme the good name by which you are called?

⁸ If you keep indeed the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well; ⁹ but if you respect persons, you commit sin, convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰ For whoever shall keep the whole law, and offend in one point, is guilty of all. ¹¹ For he that said, You shall not commit adultery, said also, You shall not kill; and if you do not commit adultery, but kill, you are a transgressor of the law.

¹² So speak and so do, as being about to be judged by the law of liberty. ¹³ For he shall have judgment without mercy who shows not mercy; mercy rejoices over judgment.