the poor should be as much regarded as those of the
rich. See Deut. 1.17.

2:2. For if there shall come into your assembly a man having a golden
ring, in fine apparel; and there shall come in also a poor man in mean
attire:

2:3. And you have respect to him that is clothed with the fine apparel
and shall say to him: Sit thou here well: but say to the poor man: Stand
thou there, or: Sit under my footstool:

2:4. Do you not judge within yourselves, and are become judges of unjust
thoughts?

2:5. Hearken, my dearest brethren: Hath not God chosen the poor in this
world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to
them that love him?

2:6. But you have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you
by might? And do not they draw you before the judgment seats?

2:7. Do not they blaspheme the good name that is invoked upon you?

2:8. If then you fulfil the royal law, according to the scriptures: Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; you do well.

2:9. But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, being reproved
by the law as transgressors.

2:10. And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point,
is become guilty of all.

Guilty of all... That is, he becomes a transgressor of the law in such a
manner, that the observing of all other points will not avail him to
salvation; for he despises the lawgiver, and breaks through the great
and general commandment of charity, even by one mortal sin. For all the
precepts of the law are to be considered as one total and entire law,
and as it were a chain of precepts, where, by breaking one link of this
chain, the whole chain is broken, or the integrity of the law consisting
of a collection of precepts. A sinner, therefore, by a grievous offence
against any one precept, incurs eternal punishment; yet the punishment
in hell shall be greater for those who have been greater sinners, as a
greater reward shall be for those in heaven who have lived with greater
sanctity and perfection.

2:11. For he that said: Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also: Thou
shalt not kill. Now if thou do not commit adultery, but shalt kill, thou
art become a transgressor of the law.

2:12. So speak ye and so do, as being to be judged by the law of
liberty.

2:13. For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And
mercy exalteth itself above judgment.

2:14. What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but
hath