James:2:1-13
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My brothers ,
do not hold the faith of the Lord Jesus ,
the Lord of Glory ,
in a spirit of caste .
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Suppose a man comes into your synagogue with a gold ring and dazzling clothes ,
and suppose a poor man comes in ,
also ,
in shabby clothes ,
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and you look up to him who wears the fine clothing ,
and say to him , "
Sit here in this fine place !"
and to the poor man you say , "
Stand there !"
or "
Sit on the floor at my feet !"
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are you not drawing distinctions among yourselves ,
and have you not become judges with evil thoughts ?
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Listen ,
my dear brothers ,
has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith ,
and to inherit the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him ?
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But you have dishonored the poor man .
Do not the rich oppress you and drag you to court ?
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Are they not blaspheming that glorious Name by which you are called ?
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If you are keeping the royal law ,
which says ,
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thou dost thyself ,
you are doing well .
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If you have the spirit of caste you are committing sin ,
and are convicted by the Law as transgressors .
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For if a man keeps the whole of the Law ,
and yet stumbles in one point ,
he is guilty of all .
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For he who said ,
Do not commit adultery ,
said also ,
Do not Kill .
Now if you do not commit adultery ,
but if you do kill ,
you have transgressed the Law .
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So speak and act like men who are to be judged by the law of liberty .
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For judgment is without mercy to the man who has showed no mercy .
but mercy glories in the face of judgment .