Bible in Poetry: James 2
Favoritism Forbidden:
1 My brothers, then as believers
In our Lord Savior Jesus Christ,
Do not show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man attired fine,
Comes to your meeting wearing rich
Clothes and gold ring and a poor man
In shabby clothes also walks in,
3 If you show special attention
To man in fine clothes and do say,
'Here is a good seat for you, Sir',
But tell the poor man, 'You stand there'
Or 'Sit on the floor by my feet, '
4 Have you not discriminated,
Among yourselves and turned judges,
With evil thoughts and unfairness?
5 O listen, dear brothers, ‘Hasn’t God
Chosen those poor in eyes of world,
To be the richer ones in faith,
And inherit God’s kingdom then,
As promised to those who love Him?
6 But you have insulted the poor.
Is not the rich who exploit you?
Aren’t they who drag you to the court?
7Aren’t they not ones who slander most
The noble name of God, the Lord?
8 If you follow the royal law,
That’s found in Holy Scripture well,
'You love your neighbor as yourself, '
Then, you are doing the right thing.
9 But if you show favoritism,
You sin and will be convicted,
By law of land as lawbreakers.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law,
And stumbles yet at just one point,
Is guilty of breaking it all.
11 'Do not commit adultery, '
Also it is said, 'Don’t murder.'
If you don’t commit adultery,
But do commit then murder still,
You have become a lawbreaker.
12 So speak and act as those who are,
Going to be judged by the law.
That gives the freedom to all men,
13 Because the judgment sans mercy,
Will be then shown to anyone,
Who hasn’t been merciful to men.
So mercy triumphs o’er judgment!
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poem by John Celes
Added by Poetry Lover
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