Parallel Bible results for "james 2:1-13"

James 2:1-13

MSG

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?
7 Aren't they the ones who scorn the new name - "Christian" - used in your baptisms?
7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself."
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
9 But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it.
9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
10 You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
11 The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period.
11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free.
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
13 For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
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.