1. My dear brothers, you are believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. So never think that some people are more important than others.
2. Suppose someone comes into your church meeting wearing very nice clothes and a gold ring. At the same time a poor man comes in wearing old, dirty clothes.
3. You show special attention to the one wearing nice clothes. You say, “Please, sit here in this good seat.” But you say to the poor man, “Stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor by my feet!”
4. What are you doing? You are making some people more important than others. With evil thoughts you are deciding which person is better.
5. Listen, my dear brothers! God chose the poor in the world to be rich with faith. He chose them to receive the kingdom God promised to people who love him.
6. But you show no respect to the poor man. And you know that it is the rich who are always trying to control your lives. And they are the ones who take you to court.
7. They are the ones who say bad things against Jesus, who owns you.
8. One law rules over all other laws. This royal law is found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” If you obey this law, then you are doing right.