YAC 2:13 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) because judgement will be dispensed without mercy to those who haven’t been putting mercy into practice. Yes, mercy wins out over judgement.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For the judgment is merciless to the ones not having done mercy. Mercy boasts against judgment.

UST You should speak and act in this way because when God judges us, he will not act mercifully toward those who have not acted mercifully toward others. But if we are merciful to others, then we can expect that God will be merciful to us when he judges us.

BLB For judgment without mercy will be to the one not having shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

AICNT For judgment is merciless to the one who has not shown mercy; [[and]][fn] mercy triumphs over judgment.

2:13, and: Later manuscripts add. TR

OEB For there will be justice without mercy for the person who has not acted mercifully. Mercy triumphs over Justice.

WEBBE For judgement is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.

LSV for the judgment without mercy [is] to him having not done mercy, and mercy exults over judgment.

FBV Anyone who doesn't show mercy will be judged without mercy. Yet mercy wins out over judgment![fn]

2:13 The exact meaning of this verse is debated, but the fundamental point is to emphasize the merciful character of God.

TCNT For judgment is without mercy to anyone who has not shown mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

T4T Speak and act like that, because when God judges us, he will not act mercifully toward those who do not act mercifully toward others. But when we are merciful to others, we can rejoice, because our being merciful shows that we are acting like people whom God has mercifully saved from being judged (OR, we can rejoice because God will judge us mercifully).

LEB For judgment is merciless to the one who has not practiced mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

BBE For the man who has had no mercy will be judged without mercy, but mercy takes pride in overcoming judging.

Moff for the judgment will be merciless to the man who has shown no mercy — whereas the merciful life will triumph in the face of judgment.

Wymth For he who shows no mercy will have judgement given against him without mercy; but mercy triumphs over judgement.

ASV For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.

DRA For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And mercy exalteth itself above judgment.

YLT for the judgment without kindness [is] to him not having done kindness, and exult doth kindness over judgment.

Drby for judgment [will be] without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.

RV For judgment is without mercy to him that hath shewed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.
(For judgement is without mercy to him that hath/has showed no mercy: mercy gloryth against judgement. )

SLT For unpropitiated judgment to him not doing mercy; and mercy boasteth against judgment.

Wbstr For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shown no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

KJB-1769 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
(For he shall have judgement without mercy, that hath/has showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth/rejoices against judgement. )

KJB-1611 For he shall haue iudgement without mercie, that hath shewed no mercy, & mercie [fn]reioyceth against iudgement.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

2:13 Or, glorieth

Bshps For he shall haue iudgement without mercie, that sheweth no mercie: And mercie reioyceth agaynst iudgement.
(For he shall have judgement without mercy, that sheweth/shows no mercy: And mercy rejoiceth/rejoices against judgement.)

Gnva For there shalbe condemnation merciles to him that sheweth not mercie, and mercie reioyceth against condemnation.
(For there shall be condemnation merciles to him that sheweth/shows not mercy, and mercy rejoiceth/rejoices against condemnation. )

Cvdl For ther shalbe iudgement merciles to him that sheweth no mercy, & mercy reioiseth against iudgment.
(For there shall be judgement merciles to him that sheweth/shows no mercy, and mercy reioiseth against judgement.)

TNT For ther shalbe iudgement merciles to him that sheweth no mercy and mercy reioyseth agaynst iudgement:
(For there shall be judgement merciles to him that sheweth/shows no mercy and mercy rejoiceth/rejoices against judgement: )

Wycl For whi dom with out merci is to hym, that doith no mercy; but merci aboue reisith dom.
(For why judgement with out mercy is to him, that doth/does no mercy; but mercy above raiseth/raises dom.)

Luth Es wird aber ein unbarmherzig Gericht über den gehen, der nicht Barmherzigkeit getan hat; und die Barmherzigkeit rühmet sich wider das Gericht.
(It becomes but a unmerciful court(n)/justice above the go, the/of_the not compassion did has; and the compassion boasts itself/yourself/themselves against the court(n)/justice.)

ClVg Judicium enim sine misericordia illi qui non fecit misericordiam: superexaltat autem misericordia judicium.[fn]
(Judgement because without mercy them who/which not/no he_did mercy: superexaltat however mercy judgement. )

2.13 Superexaltat autem. BED. Sicut in judicio dolebit ille qui non fecit misericordiam, ita qui fecit, remuneratus exsultabit atque gaudebit.

2.13 Superexaltat however. BED. Like in/into/on judgement dolebit he/that_one who/which not/no he_did mercy, so/thus who/which he_did, remuneratus will_rejoice and_yet will_rejoice.

UGNT ἡ γὰρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μὴ ποιήσαντι ἔλεος. κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως.
(haʸ gar krisis aneleos tōi maʸ poiaʸsanti eleos. katakauⱪatai eleos kriseōs.)

SBL-GNT ἡ γὰρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μὴ ποιήσαντι ἔλεος· κατακαυχᾶται ⸀ἔλεος κρίσεως.
(haʸ gar krisis aneleos tōi maʸ poiaʸsanti eleos; katakauⱪatai ⸀eleos kriseōs.)

RP-GNT Ἡ γὰρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μὴ ποιήσαντι ἔλεος· κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεον κρίσεως.
(Haʸ gar krisis aneleos tōi maʸ poiaʸsanti eleos; katakauⱪatai eleon kriseōs.)

TC-GNT Ἡ γὰρ κρίσις [fn]ἀνέλεος τῷ μὴ ποιήσαντι [fn]ἔλεος· κατακαυχᾶται [fn]ἔλεον κρίσεως.
(Haʸ gar krisis aneleos tōi maʸ poiaʸsanti eleos; katakauⱪatai eleon kriseōs. )

2:13 ανελεος ¦ ανηλεος PCK ¦ ανιλεως TR

2:13 ελεος ¦ ελεος και TR

2:13 ελεον ¦ ελεος ANT CT TR

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:1–13: Believers must avoid favoritism

The theme of this section is that Christians should not treat rich people better than poor people. They should treat everyone with kindness. This is one of the marks of a truly godly person.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Show mercy and honor to poor people and thereby fulfill the royal law of love

Obey the law of love by treating poor people with mercy and honor

Do not discriminate against poor people

Paragraph 2:12–13

In this paragraph, James warned his readers that God will judge all people based on how they act toward others. He requires his people to be merciful to others. This is a conclusion to 2:1–11.

In some languages, it will be natural to begin this paragraph with a conjunction indicating that it is a conclusion. For example:

So (NLT)

Therefore

2:13a

For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.

because God will judge without mercy/kindness the person who has not shown/had mercy towards others.
When God decides if you^(plur) are righteous or guilty, he will not pity you if you have not pitied others.
For if a person did not have mercy/pity on others, God will not have mercy/pity on him when he judges him.

For: The Greek word that the BSB translates as For introduces the reason why we should speak and act as it says in 2:12. We should speak and act mercifully (2:12a) because God will judge us without mercy if we are not merciful to others (2:13a).

judgment without mercy will be shown: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as judgment without mercy will be shown is literally “the merciless judgment.” There is no verb in Greek here, so most languages will have to supply a verb. The BSB has supplied the words will be shown to make the Greek phrase a natural English clause.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

Use the verb “is” in the present or future. For example:
judgment is merciless (NET)
judgment will be without mercy (NRSV)
on the day of judgment there will be no pity (CEV)
Use a verb that goes with “mercy” or “judgment.” For example:
God will not show mercy when he judges (GNT)
God will render judgment without mercy
Translate judgment as a verb. For example:
God will judge without mercy

judgment: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as judgment is literally “the judgment.” It refers back to the fact that God will judge people (2:12).

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

God will judge you

God will decide if you are righteous or guilty

See judge, meaning 1, in the Glossary.

without mercy: The Greek word that the BSB translates as without mercy refers to God’s choosing to withhold mercy. When God evaluates and decides if a person is righteous or not, he will not show mercy when deciding.

The word mercy means to show kindness toward people who are in need. Here it specifically means kindness beyond what a person deserves.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

there will be no pity (CEV)

without kindness

will not use grace (when he judges)

to anyone who has not been merciful: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as to anyone who has not been merciful is literally “to the one who has not done mercy.” Here “mercy” refers to kindness shown to those who are suffering or in need, such as the poor believers mentioned in 2:1–6.

James was referring to an entire group of people. So in many languages, it may be more natural to translate this phrase in the plural. For example:

those who have not shown mercy to others.

merciful: Here the word merciful refers to the kindness that people show to their fellow human beings who are suffering or in need. Merciful people show this kindness whether or not their fellow human beings have offended them.

Here the sense of mercy is slightly different than the same word in the phrase “judgment without mercy.” There “mercy” refers to kindness that God shows to people who have offended him and deserve judgment/punishment.

What is common to both senses is the idea of being kind to people in need. If possible, you should try to use the same word or expression both times. If your language would normally use different words or expressions for these two senses, try to see if you can translate this in a way to show the connection between the two words. For example:

At the time of judgment, God will not be kind to those who have not been kind to others who are in need.

General Comment on 2:12a–13a

In some languages, it may be more natural to put the reason in 2:13a before the result in 2:12a. For example:

^13aJudgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. ^12aSo speak and act as those who are going to be judged ^12bby the law that gives freedom.

2:13b

Mercy triumphs over judgment.

However, mercy will conquer judgment!
Yet compassion knows it is stronger than judgment.
But the person who is merciful to others does not fear the time when God will judge everyone.

There is a contrast between 2:13a and 2:13b. The contrast is between judgment without mercy (2:13a) and mercy triumphing over judgment (2:13b). Verse 2:13a is something that no one desires. Verse 2:13b is desirable. In some languages, it may be natural to use a conjunction that shows contrast. For example:

but (GNT)

Mercy triumphs over judgment: This is a type of proverb. It is stated in a few words using abstract nouns. In this proverb, Mercy is personified. This means that Mercy is spoken of as if it were a person. This person triumphs over his opponent. This means that he has victory over him.

Some ways to translate this sentence are:

Translate this like a proverb and keep the abstract nouns mercy and judgment and the personification. For example:
Mercy triumphs over judgment. (GW)
Mercy is confident when it confronts judgment.
Mercy is more powerful than judgment.
Translate it like a proverb but without the personification.There is an interpretation issue that comes into play in any attempt to make the meaning of this proverbial expression more explicit. The question is whether mercy refers to people showing mercy/compassion to others or to God’s mercy shown toward merciful people. The majority view (see, for example, Moo (2000), page 118; Ropes, page 202; Translator’s Handbook, page 81; SSA, page 72; NLT; NCV) is clearly that mercy refers to people showing mercy or compassion to others. This follows the same sense of mercy as it was last used in 2:13a “to anyone who has not been merciful.” It expresses in positive terms what 2:13a has expressed in negative terms, and it lines up well with other verses about mercy such as Matthew 5:7. The weakness of this view is that James’ choice of verb seems unusual to express such a meaning: mercy (shown by man) boasts/triumphs over God’s judgment. The minority view is found in Martin, page 72, and the CEV. For example:
The person who shows mercy can be confident on the day when God judges everyone.
A man who is merciful to others does not need to have fear on the day when God will judge people.
Translate the meaning. For example:
If you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. (NLT)
When anyone is merciful to others, God will judge him with mercy.

Mercy: Mercy here probably refers to the kindness or compassion that a person shows to others who are suffering or in need. It refers to how believers should be treating poor people in their congregation.

The same word with the same meaning occurs at the end of 2:13a.

triumphs over: The Greek word that the BSB here translates as triumphs over probably means that a person is joyfully confident even though something threatens him. “Mercy” (personified) knows that it is superior to judgment and so is not afraid of judgment. In other words, a merciful person is not afraid that God will condemn him. For ways to translate this word, see the examples above.

judgment: Here judgment refers to God’s act of judging people. It has the same meaning as in 2:12a and 2:13a.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ Γάρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μή ποιήσαντι ἔλεος Κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως)

James is giving the reason why people should be guided in their actions by the principle of loving others, as he said in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [You should follow the principle of loving others because]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἡ γὰρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μὴ ποιήσαντι ἔλεος

the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ Γάρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μή ποιήσαντι ἔλεος Κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως)

James is using the word judgment to represent God, the one who judges. Alternate translation: [when God judges people, he will not be merciful to people who have not shown mercy to others]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

ἡ γὰρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μὴ ποιήσαντι ἔλεος

the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ Γάρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μή ποιήσαντι ἔλεος Κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως)

James is speaking of judgment as if it were a living thing that could act in a merciless way. Alternate translation: [When God judges people, he will not be merciful to people who have not shown mercy to others]

τῷ μὴ ποιήσαντι ἔλεος

˱to˲_the_‹one› (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ Γάρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μή ποιήσαντι ἔλεος Κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως)

The word translated mercy can also refer to compassion. Since James is referring in this context to following the command to love others, that is likely what it means here. Alternate translation: [those who have not acted compassionately towards others]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ Γάρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μή ποιήσαντι ἔλεος Κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως)

There is an implied contrast between this sentence and the statement in the previous sentence that “judgment is merciless.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that contrast explicitly at the start of this sentence with a word such as “however.” Alternate translation: [However, mercy boasts against judgment]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ Γάρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μή ποιήσαντι ἔλεος Κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως)

James is speaking of mercy and judgment as if they were living things that could fight a contest against one another. He is also speaking of mercy as if it could boast after defeating judgment in such a contest. James is continuing to describe how God will judge people. Alternate translation: [However, God will show mercy when he judges people who have acted compassionately towards others]

Parallel YAC 2:13

Section 2:1–13: Believers must avoid favoritism

Paragraph 2:12–13

2:13a

General Comment on 2:12a–13a

2:13b