18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith (A)apart from your works, and I will show you my faith (B)by my works. 19 (C)You believe that God is one; you do well. Even (D)the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 (E)Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that (F)faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed (G)by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, (H)“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a (I)friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

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18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds,(A) and I will show you my faith(B) by my deeds.(C) 19 You believe that there is one God.(D) Good! Even the demons believe that(E)—and shudder.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]?(F) 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?(G) 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together,(H) and his faith was made complete by what he did.(I) 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b](J) and he was called God’s friend.(K) 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

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Footnotes

  1. James 2:20 Some early manuscripts dead
  2. James 2:23 Gen. 15:6