James 2 – Compare Chapter Translations

Verse-by-verse comparison of James 2 across supported Bible translations.

Verse 1

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

ASV My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons.

WEB My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality.

YLT My brethren, hold not, in respect of persons, the faith of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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

DBY My brethren, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [Lord] of glory, with respect of persons:

GNV My brethren, haue not the faith of our glorious Lord Iesus Christ in respect of persons.

LSB My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

Verse 2

KJV For 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;

ASV For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing;

WEB For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in;

YLT for if there may come into your synagogue a man with gold ring, in gay raiment, and there may come in also a poor man in vile raiment,

DRB 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:

DBY for if there come unto your synagogue a man with a gold ring in splendid apparel, and a poor man also come in in vile apparel,

GNV For if there come into your company a man with a golde ring, and in goodly apparell, and there come in also a poore man in vile raiment,

LSB For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in bright clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes,

Verse 3

KJV And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

ASV and ye have regard to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, Sit thou here in a good place; and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit under my footstool;

WEB and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, “Sit here in a good place”; and you tell the poor man, “Stand there,” or “Sit by my footstool”;

YLT and ye may look upon him bearing the gay raiment, and may say to him, `Thou--sit thou here well,' and to the poor man may say, `Thou--stand thou there, or, Sit thou here under my footstool,' --

DRB 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:

DBY and ye look upon him who wears the splendid apparel, and say, Do thou sit here well, and say to the poor, Do thou stand there, or sit here under my footstool:

GNV And ye haue a respect to him that weareth the gaie clothing; and say vnto him, Sit thou here in a goodly place, and say vnto the poore, Stand thou there, or sit here vnder my footestoole,

LSB and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,”

Verse 4

KJV Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

ASV Do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

WEB haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

YLT ye did not judge fully in yourselves, and did become ill-reasoning judges.

DRB Do you not judge within yourselves, and are become judges of unjust thoughts?

DBY have ye not made a difference among yourselves, and become judges having evil thoughts?

GNV Are yee not partiall in your selues, and are become iudges of euill thoughts?

LSB have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

Verse 5

KJV 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?

ASV Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world [to be] rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?

WEB Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?

YLT Hearken, my brethren beloved, did not God choose the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the reign that He promised to those loving Him?

DRB 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?

DBY Hear, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor as to the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him?

GNV Hearken my beloued brethren, hath not God chosen the poore of this worlde, that they should be rich in faith, and heires of the kingdome which he promised to them that loue him?

LSB Listen, my beloved brothers: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

Verse 6

KJV But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

ASV But ye have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and themselves drag you before the judgment-seats?

WEB But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts?

YLT and ye did dishonour the poor one; do not the rich oppress you and themselves draw you to judgment-seats;

DRB 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?

DBY But *ye* have despised the poor [man]. Do not the rich oppress you, and [do not] *they* drag you before [the] tribunals?

GNV But ye haue despised the poore. Doe not the riche oppresse you by tyrannie, and doe not they drawe you before the iudgement seates?

LSB But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and they themselves drag you into court?

Verse 7

KJV Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

ASV Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called?

WEB Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called?

YLT do they not themselves speak evil of the good name that was called upon you?

DRB Do not they blaspheme the good name that is invoked upon you?

DBY And [do not] *they* blaspheme the excellent name which has been called upon you?

GNV Doe nor they blaspheme the worthie Name after which yee be named?

LSB Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you have been called?

Verse 8

KJV If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

ASV Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

WEB However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,”Leviticus 19:18 you do well.

YLT If, indeed, royal law ye complete, according to the Writing, `Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,' --ye do well;

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

DBY If indeed ye keep [the] royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.

GNV But if yee fulfill the royall Lawe according to the Scripture, which saith, Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe, yee doe well.

LSB If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Verse 9

KJV But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

ASV but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

WEB But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

YLT and if ye accept persons, sin ye do work, being convicted by the law as transgressors;

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

DBY But if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

GNV But if yee regarde the persons, yee commit sinne, and are rebuked of the Lawe, as transgressours.

LSB But if you show partiality, you are committing sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

Verse 10

KJV For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

ASV For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one [point], he is become guilty of all.

WEB For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

YLT for whoever the whole law shall keep, and shall stumble in one <FI>point<Fi> , he hath become guilty of all;

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

DBY For whoever shall keep the whole law and shall offend in one [point], he has come under the guilt of [breaking] all.

GNV For whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Lawe, and yet faileth in one poynt, hee is guiltie of all.

LSB For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

Verse 11

KJV 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.

ASV For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

WEB For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,”Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18 also said, “Do not commit murder.”Exodus 10:13; Deuteronomy 5:17 Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

YLT for He who is saying, `Thou mayest not commit adultery,' said also, `Thou mayest do no murder;' and if thou shalt not commit adultery, and shalt commit murder, thou hast become a transgressor of law;

DRB 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.

DBY For he who said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become transgressor of [the] law.

GNV For he that saide, Thou shalt not commit adulterie, saide also, Thou shalt not kill. Nowe though thou doest none adulterie, yet if thou killest, thou art a transgressour of the Lawe.

LSB For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Verse 12

KJV So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

ASV So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty.

WEB So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom.

YLT so speak ye and so do, as about by a law of liberty to be judged,

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

DBY So speak ye, and so act, as those that are to be judged by [the] law of liberty;

GNV So speake ye, and so doe, as they that shall be iudged by the Lawe of libertie.

LSB So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom.

Verse 13

KJV For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

ASV For judgment [is] without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.

WEB For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

YLT for the judgment without kindness <FI>is<Fi> to him not having done kindness, and exult doth kindness over judgment.

DRB For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And mercy exalteth itself above judgment.

DBY for judgment [will be] without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.

GNV For there shalbe condemnation merciles to him that sheweth not mercie, and mercie reioyceth against condemnation.

LSB For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Verse 14

KJV What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

ASV What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?

WEB What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?

YLT What <FI>is<Fi> the profit, my brethren, if faith, any one may speak of having, and works he may not have? is that faith able to save him?

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

DBY What [is] the profit, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? can faith save him?

GNV What auaileth it, my brethren, though a man saith he hath faith, when he hath no workes? can that faith saue him?

LSB What use is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

Verse 15

KJV If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

ASV If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food,

WEB And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,

YLT and if a brother or sister may be naked, and may be destitute of the daily food,

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

DBY Now if a brother or a sister is naked and destitute of daily food,

GNV For if a brother or a sister bee naked and destitute of daily foode,

LSB If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,

Verse 16

KJV And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

ASV and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit?

WEB and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”; and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it?

YLT and any one of you may say to them, `Depart ye in peace, be warmed, and be filled,' and may not give to them the things needful for the body, what <FI>is<Fi> the profit?

DRB 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?

DBY and one from amongst you say to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled; but give not to them the needful things for the body, what [is] the profit?

GNV And one of you say vnto them, Depart in peace: warme your selues, and fil your bellies, notwithstading ye giue them not those things which are needefull to the body, what helpeth it?

LSB and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Verse 17

KJV Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

ASV Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.

WEB Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.

YLT so also the faith, if it may not have works, is dead by itself.

DRB So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself.

DBY So also faith, if it have not works, is dead by itself.

GNV Euen so the faith, if it haue no woorkes, is dead in it selfe.

LSB Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself.

Verse 18

KJV Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

ASV Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from [thy] works, and I by my works will show thee [my] faith.

WEB Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

YLT But say may some one, Thou hast faith, and I have works, shew me thy faith out of thy works, and I will shew thee out of my works my faith:

DRB 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.

DBY But some one will say, *Thou* hast faith and *I* have works. Shew me thy faith without works, and *I* from my works will shew thee my faith.

GNV But some man might say, Thou hast the faith, and I haue woorkes: shewe me thy faith out of thy woorkes, and I will shewe thee my faith by my woorkes.

LSB But someone will say, “You have faith; and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Verse 19

KJV Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

ASV Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.

WEB You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder.

YLT thou--thou dost believe that God is one; thou dost well, and the demons believe, and they shudder!

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

DBY *Thou* believest that God is one. Thou doest well. The demons even believe, and tremble.

GNV Thou beleeuest that there is one God: thou doest well: the deuils also beleeue it, and tremble.

LSB You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

Verse 20

KJV But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

ASV But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?

WEB But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?

YLT And dost thou wish to know, O vain man, that the faith apart from the works is dead?

DRB But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

DBY But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

GNV But wilt thou vnderstand, O thou vaine man, that the faith which is without workes, is dead?

LSB But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

Verse 21

KJV Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

ASV Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar?

WEB Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

YLT Abraham our father--was not he declared righteous out of works, having brought up Isaac his son upon the altar?

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

DBY Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

GNV Was not Abraham our father iustified through workes, when he offred Isaac his sonne vpon the altar?

LSB Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

Verse 22

KJV Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

ASV Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect;

WEB You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected;

YLT dost thou see that the faith was working with his works, and out of the works the faith was perfected?

DRB Seest thou that faith did cooperate with his works and by works faith was made perfect?

DBY Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and that by works faith was perfected.

GNV Seest thou not that the faith wrought with his workes? and through the workes was the faith made perfect.

LSB You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected.

Verse 23

KJV And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

ASV and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.

WEB and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness”;Genesis 15:6 and he was called the friend of God.

YLT and fulfilled was the Writing that is saying, `And Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him--to righteousness;' and, `Friend of God' he was called.

DRB 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.

DBY And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend of God.

GNV And the Scripture was fulfilled which sayeth, Abraham beleeued God, and it was imputed vnto him for righteousnesse: and hee was called the friende of God.

LSB And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.

Verse 24

KJV Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

ASV Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.

WEB You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith.

YLT Ye see, then, that out of works is man declared righteous, and not out of faith only;

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

DBY Ye see that a man is justified on the principle of works, and not on the principle of faith only.

GNV Ye see then howe that of workes a man is iustified, and not of faith onely.

LSB You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Verse 25

KJV Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

ASV And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?

WEB In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?

YLT and in like manner also Rahab the harlot--was she not out of works declared righteous, having received the messengers, and by another way having sent forth?

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

DBY But was not in like manner also Rahab the harlot justified on the principle of works, when she had received the messengers and put [them] forth by another way?

GNV Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot iustified through workes, when she had receiued ye messengers, and sent them out another way?

LSB And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

Verse 26

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

ASV For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

WEB For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

YLT for as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also the faith apart from the works is dead.

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

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

GNV For as the body without ye spirit is dead, euen so the faith without workes is dead.

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