2:1 Fratres mei, nolite in personarum acceptione habere fidem Domini nostri Jesu Christi gloriæ.

2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory, with respect of persons.

2:2 Etenim si introierit in conventum vestrum vir aureum annulum habens in veste candida, introierit autem et pauper in sordido habitu,

2:2 For if there shall come into your assembly a man having a golden ring, in fine apparel; and there shall come in also a poor man in mean attire:

2:3 et intendatis in eum qui indutus est veste præclara, et dixeritis ei : Tu sede hic bene : pauperi autem dicatis : Tu sta illic ; aut sede sub scabello pedum meorum :

2:3 And you have respect to him that is clothed with the fine apparel and shall say to him: Sit thou here well: but say to the poor man: Stand thou there, or: Sit under my footstool:

2:4 nonne judicatis apud vosmetipsos, et facti estis judices cogitationum iniquarum ?

2:4 Do you not judge within yourselves, and are become judges of unjust thoughts?

2:5 Audite, fratres mei dilectissimi : nonne Deus elegit pauperes in hoc mundo, divites in fide, et hæredes regni, quod repromisit Deus diligentibus se ?

2:5 Hearken, my dearest brethren: Hath not God chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him?

2:6 vos autem exhonorastis pauperem. Nonne divites per potentiam opprimunt vos, et ipsi trahunt vos ad judicia ?

2:6 But you have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you by might? And do not they draw you before the judgment seats?

2:7 nonne ipsi blasphemant bonum nomen, quod invocatum est super vos ?

2:7 Do not they blaspheme the good name that is invoked upon you?

2:8 Si tamen legem perficitis regalem secundum Scripturas : Diliges proximum tuum sicut teipsum : bene facitis :

2:8 If then you fulfil the royal law, according to the scriptures: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; you do well.

2:9 si autem personas accipitis, peccatum operamini, redarguti a lege quasi transgressores.

2:9 But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, being reproved by the law as transgressors.

2:10 Quicumque autem totam legem servaverit, offendat autem in uno, factus est omnium reus.

2:10 And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all.

2:11 Qui enim dixit : Non mœchaberis, dixit et : Non occides. Quod si non mœchaberis, occides autem, factus es transgressor legis.

2:11 For he that said: Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also: Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou do not commit adultery, but shalt kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

2:12 Sic loquimini, et sic facite sicut per legem libertatis incipientes judicari.

2:12 So speak ye and so do, as being to be judged by the law of liberty.

2:13 Judicium enim sine misericordia illi qui non fecit misericordiam : superexaltat autem misericordia judicium.

2:13 For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And mercy exalteth itself above judgment.

2:14 Quid proderit, fratres mei, si fidem quis dicat se habere, opera autem non habeat ? numquid poterit fides salvare eum ?

2:14 What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him?

2:15 Si autem frater et soror nudi sint, et indigeant victu quotidiano,

2:15 And if a brother or sister be naked and want daily food:

2:16 dicat autem aliquis ex vobis illis : Ite in pace, calefacimini et saturamini : non dederitis autem eis quæ necessaria sunt corpori, quid proderit ?

2:16 And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit?

2:17 Sic et fides, si non habeat opera, mortua est in semetipsa.

2:17 So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself.

2:18 Sed dicet quis : Tu fidem habes, et ego opera habeo : ostende mihi fidem tuam sine operibus : et ego ostendam tibi ex operibus fidem meam.

2:18 But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works. Shew me thy faith without works; and I will shew thee, by works, my faith.

2:19 Tu credis quoniam unus est Deus : bene facis : et dæmones credunt, et contremiscunt.

2:19 Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble.

2:20 Vis autem scire, o homo inanis, quoniam fides sine operibus mortua est ?

2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

2:21 Abraham pater noster nonne ex operibus justificatus est, offerens Isaac filium suum super altare ?

2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar?

2:22 Vides quoniam fides cooperabatur operibus illius : et ex operibus fides consummata est ?

2:22 Seest thou that faith did cooperate with his works and by works faith was made perfect?

2:23 Et suppleta est Scriptura, dicens : Credidit Abraham Deo, et reputatum est illi ad justitiam, et amicus Dei appellatus est.

2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God.

2:24 Videtis quoniam ex operibus justificatur homo, et non ex fide tantum ?

2:24 Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only?

2:25 Similiter et Rahab meretrix, nonne ex operibus justificata est, suscipiens nuntios, et alia via ejiciens ?

2:25 And in like manner also Rahab the harlot, was not she justified by works, receiving the messengers and sending them out another way?

2:26 Sicut enim corpus sine spiritu mortuum est, ita et fides sine operibus mortua est.

2:26 For even as the body without the spirit is dead: so also faith without works is dead.