---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: James from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 2
verse_count: 25
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), James, chap. 2, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# James 2

*Faith to be held without a respect to persons Of faith and works.*

**1** My brethren, ye cannot have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, and yet have respect to persons.
**2** Now if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
**3** And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say JAMES. unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool;
**4** Are ye not then in yourselves partial judges, and become evil in your thoughts?
**5** Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
**6** But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment-seats?
**7** Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
**8** If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well;
**9** But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
**10** For whosoever shall, save in one point, keep the whole law, he is guilty of all.
**11** For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
**12** So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
**13** For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
**14** What profit is it, my brethren, for a man to say he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?
**15** Yea, a man may say, I will show thee I have faith without works; but I say, Show me thy faith without works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
**16** For if a brother or sister be naked and destitute, and one of you say, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; notwithstanding he give not those things which are needful to the body; what profit is your faith unto such?
**17** Even so faith, if it have not works is dead, being alone.
**18** Therefore wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead and cannot save you?
**19** Thou believest there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble; thou hast made thyself like unto them, not being justified.
**20** Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
**21** Seest thou how works wrought with his faith, and by works was faith made perfect?
**22** And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the lend of God.
**23** Ye see then that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
**24** Likewise also Rahab the harlot was justified by works, when she had received the messengers and sent them out another way.
**25** For, as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.