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Rabbinic tradition in Pirkei Avot says the world is judged with goodness even though everything is foreseen. James represents a similar tradition, that divine mercy triumphs over judgment.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
James 2:13
New Testament
12 Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. 13 For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment. 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him?
Pirkei Avot 3:15
Mishnah
Rabbinic
15 Everything is foreseen yet freedom of choice is granted, And the world is judged with goodness; And everything is in accordance with the preponderance of works. 16 He used to say: everything is given against a pledge, and a net is spread out over all the living; the store is open and the storekeeper allows credit, but the ledger is open and the hand writes, and whoever wishes to borrow may come and borrow; but the collectors go round regularly every day and exact dues from man, either with his consent or without his consent, and they have that on which they [can] rely [in their claims], seeing that the judgment is a righteous judgment, and everything is prepared for the banquet.
Date: 190-230 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
... These 'ways' of behavior, in turn, are explicitly attached to religious motivations that also resemble those in James. The observance of the law is taking on the yoke of the kingdom (Pirke Aboth 3:5), and gives the one who observes it a sort of kingship (Pirke Aboth 6:1 = James 2:8). Humans are created in the image of God (Pirke Aboth 3:15 = James 3:9), and God is both their creator and their judge (Pirke Aboth 2:21; 4:22 = James 4:12), who judges the world by mercy (Pirke Aboth 3:16 = James 2:13). Both 'heavy' and 'light' commandments must be observed (Pirke Aboth 2:1; 4:11; see especially 4:2 = James 2:10–11). Abraham is called 'our father' (Pirke Aboth 5:2, 19 = James 2:21) and the ten trials of Abraham—including the binding of Isaac—are listed (Pirke Aboth 5:3 = James 2:21). ...
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