James 2:3

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”
KJV
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
WEB
and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, “Sit here in a good place;” and you tell the poor man, “Stand there,” or “Sit by my footstool”
ASV
and ye have regard to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, Sit thou here in a good place; and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit under my footstool;
DARBY
and ye look upon him who wears the splendid apparel, and say, Do thou sit here well, and say to the poor, Do thou stand there, or sit here under my footstool:
BLB
and you⁺ might look upon the [man] bearing the splendid apparel and might say, “You sit here well,” and to the poor one might say, “You stand,” or, “Sit there under my footstool,”
ÅB
og dere ser på ham som bærer den skinnende kledning, og sier: Sett du deg her på en god plass! og sier til den fattige: Stå du der, eller sett deg her nede ved min fotskammel! -
OTB
Hvis dere gir spesiell oppmerksomhet til mannen med de fine klærne og sier: "Her er et godt sete for deg," men sier til den fattige mannen: "Du kan stå der" eller "Sitt ved min fotskammel,"
B1930
og I ser på ham som bærer den skinnende klædning, og sier: Sett du dig her på en god plass! og sier til den fattige: Stå du der, eller sett dig her nede ved min fotskammel! -

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9

    For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

    Read in context
  • James 2:6

    But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

    Read in context
  • Luke 7:44–46

    And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 65:5

    Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

    Read in context
  • Jude 1:16

    These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

    Read in context