The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
1 My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith.
1
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
2 If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him,
2
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.
3 and you say to the man in the suit, "Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!" and either ignore the street person or say, "Better sit here in the back row,"
3
If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”
4 haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who can't be trusted?
4
have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, dear friends. Isn't it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world's down-and-out as the kingdom's first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God.
5
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6 And here you are abusing these same citizens! Isn't it the high and mighty who exploit you, who use the courts to rob you blind?
6
But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.