First ReadingJames 2:14-24, 26
From the Letter of James
14What good is it, my brothers,if a man says he has faith, but has no works?Can faith save him?15And if a brother or sister is nakedand in lack of daily food,16and one of you tells them, “Go in peace.Be warmed and filled;”yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it?17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.18Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”Show me your faith without works,and I will show you my faith by my works.
19You believe that God is one.You do well.The demons also believe—and shudder.20But do you want to know,vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?21Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works,in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?22You see that faith worked with his works,and by works faith was perfected.23So the Scripture was fulfilled which says,“Abraham believed God,and it was accounted to him as righteousness,”and he was called the friend of God.24You see then that by works a man is justified,and not only by faith. verse 25 is not read26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead,even so faith apart from works is dead.