James 4:12

Modern

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Traditional

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Literal

One is the Lawgiver and Judge, the One being able to save and to destroy. But who are you, the one judging the neighbor?

Latin

Unus est legislator et judex, qui potest perdere et liberare.

Greek

English

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

These verses discuss the teaching in Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37 (see study note on James 1:22–23).

Theme notes and profiles

Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Romans 2:1
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Isaiah 33:22
For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King. It is He who will save us.
Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
James 5:9
Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
Romans 9:20
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”
Job 38:2
“Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?
Luke 12:5
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!