9. But you sin if you don't treat everyone the same. The law judges you because you have broken it.
10. Suppose you keep the whole law but trip over just one part of it. Then you are guilty of breaking all of it.
11. God said, "Do not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18) He also said, "Do not commit murder." (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17) Suppose you don't commit adultery but do commit murder. Then you have broken the Law.
12. Speak and act like people who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.
13. Those who have not shown mercy will not receive mercy when they are judged. To show mercy is better than to judge.
14. My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people claim they have faith but don't act like it? Can that kind of faith save them?
15. Suppose a brother or sister has no clothes or food.
16. Suppose one of you says to them, "Go. I hope everything turns out fine for you. Keep warm. Eat well." And you do nothing about what they really need. Then what good have you done?
17. It is the same with faith. If it doesn't cause us to do something, it's dead.
18. But someone will say, "You have faith. I do good works." Show me your faith that doesn't do good works. And I will show you my faith by what I do.
19. You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that. And they tremble!
20. You foolish man! Do you want proof that faith without good works is useless?
21. Our father Abraham offered his son Isaac on the altar. Wasn't he considered to be right with God because of what he did?