[2:1] My friends, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, you must never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance.
[2:2] Suppose a rich man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes to your meeting, and a poor man in ragged clothes also comes.
[2:3] If you show more respect to the well-dressed man and say to him, “Have this best seat here,” but say to the poor man, “Stand over there, or sit here on the floor by my feet,”
[2:4] then you are guilty of creating distinctions among yourselves and of making judgments based on evil motives.
[2:5] Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him.
[2:6] But you dishonor the poor! Who are the ones who oppress you and drag you before the judges? The rich!
[2:7] They are the ones who speak evil of that good name which has been given to you.
[2:8] You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
[2:9] But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker.
[2:10] Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all.
[2:11] For the same one who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Even if you do not commit adultery, you have become a lawbreaker if you commit murder.
[2:12] Speak and act as people who will be judged by the law that sets us free.
[2:13] For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment.