12. So let your dvarim (words) be and so let your ma'asim (deeds) be as those who are about to come under the judgment of the Torah HaCherut [1:25].
13. For the Din (Judgment) will be without rachamim (mercy) to the one not having shown rachamim. Rachamim wins the nitzachon (victory) over HaDin.
14. What is the revach (gain, profit), my Achim b'Moshiach, if anyone claims to have emunah but does not have ma'asim (deeds)? Surely not such "emunah" is able to bring him to Yeshu'at Eloheinu?
15. If an Ach b'Moshiach or an Achot b'Moshiach is dressed in shmattes (tatters) and lacking "lechem chukeinu" ("our daily bread," Mt.6:11)
16. and anyone of you says to them, "Go in shalom! Be warmed and fed!" but you do not give to them the physical necessities, what is the revach (profit)?
17. So also Emunah, if alongside it there is not in its company Ma'asim, is by itself niftar (deceased, dead).
18. But someone will say, "You have emunah and I have ma'asim." You make known to me the Hisgalus haSod (the revelation of the mystery) of your emunah without your ma'asim, and I'll show you, Chaver, from my ma'asim, the Emunah.
19. So you're impressed with yourselves that with your emunah you can recite the kri'at Shema, nu? O you do so well...why, even the shedim have your da'as and emunah! But they shudder! [DEVARIM 6:4]
20. Are you willing to have da'as, O hollow man, that Emunah unharnessed to Ma'asim, stands idle?
21. Avraham Avinu, was he not YITZDAK IM HASHEM (justified with G-d) by his ma'asim when he performed the akedah (binding) and offered up Yitzchak Bno (Isaac his son) upon the mizbe'ach? [BERESHIS 22:9,12]
22. Hinei! While Avraham Avinu's Emunah was working, working right alongside was Avraham Avinu's Ma'asim, and by Ma'asim the emunah was made shleimah!
23. And the Kitvei Hakodesh was fulfilled, Avraham Avinu V'HE'EMIN BA'HASHEM VAYACHSHEVE'HA LO TZEDAKAH ("believed Hashem and it was accounted to him for righteousness," BERESHIS 15:6). He was even called "Ohev Hashem" ("Friend of G-d"). [BERESHIS 15:6; YESHAYAH 41:8; DIVREY HAYOMIM BAIS 20:7]
24. You see that from Ma'asim [of Emunah] a man is YITZDAK IM HASHEM and not from [sterilely unpartnered] "Emunah" alone. [i.e., mere intellectual assent]
25. And likewise also Rachav the Zonah--was she not made YITZDAK IM HASHEM from Ma'asim, having received the messengers and having sent them out a different way?
26. For just as the guf (body) without the neshamah is niftar (deceased, dead), so also is Emunah without Ma'asim.