James 2

James 2, Catholic Public Domain Version

1. My brothers, within the glorious faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, do not choose to show favoritism toward persons.†

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

2. 2

   For if a man has entered your assembly having a gold ring and splendid apparel, and if a poor man has also entered, in dirty clothing,

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

3. 3

   and if you are then attentive to the one who is clothed in excellent apparel, so that you say to him, “You may sit in this good place,” but you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit below my footstool,”

   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:

4. 4

   are you not judging within yourselves, and have you not become judges with unjust thoughts?

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

5. 5

   My most beloved brothers, listen. Has not God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to those who love him?

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

6. 6

   But you have dishonored the poor. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you through power? And are not they the ones who drag you to judgment?

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

7. 7

   Are not they the ones who blaspheme the good name which has been invoked over you?

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

8. 8

   So if you perfect the regal law, according to the Scriptures, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” then you do well.

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

9. 9

   But if you show favoritism to persons, then you commit a sin, having been convicted again by the law as transgressors.

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

10. 10

    Now whoever has observed the whole law, yet who offends in one matter, has become guilty of all.†

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

11. 11

    For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not kill.” So if you do not commit adultery, but you kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.

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

12. 12

    So speak and act just as you are beginning to be judged, by the law of liberty.

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

13. 13

    For judgment is without mercy toward him who has not shown mercy. But mercy exalts itself above judgment.

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

14. 14

    My brothers, what benefit is there if someone claims to have faith, but he does not have works? How would faith be able to save him?

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

15. 15

    So if a brother or sister is naked and daily in need of food,

    Si autem frater et soror nudi sint, et indigeant victu quotidiano,

16. 16

    and if anyone of you were to say to them: “Go in peace, keep warm and nourished,” and yet not give them the things that are necessary for the body, of what benefit is this?

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

17. 17

    Thus even faith, if it does not have works, is dead, in and of itself.

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

18. 18

    Now someone may say: “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works! But I will show you my faith by means of works.

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

19. 19

    You believe that there is one God. You do well. But the demons also believe, and they tremble greatly.

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

20. 20

    So then, are you willing to understand, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

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

21. 21

    Was not our father Abraham justified by means of works, by offering his son Isaac upon the altar?

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

22. 22

    Do you see that faith was cooperating with his works, and that by means of works faith was brought to fulfillment?

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

23. 23

    And so the Scripture was fulfilled which says: “Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.” And so he was called the friend of God.

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

24. 24

    Do you see that a man is justified by means of works, and not by faith alone?

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

25. 25

    Similarly also, Rahab, the harlot, was she not justified by works, by receiving the messengers and sending them out through another way?

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

26. 26

    For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

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

Catholic Public Domain Version (Ronald L. Conte Jr., 2009), public domain · Latin: Clementine Vulgate (1592)