¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above,^(A) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,^(B) who does not change^(C) like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth^(D) through the word of truth,^(E) that we might be a kind of firstfruits^(F) of all he created.

Listening and Doing

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters,^(G) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak^(H) and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger^(I) does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of^(J) all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,^(K) which can save you.

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.^{(L) 23} Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,^(M) and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.^(N)

²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues^(O) deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after^(P) orphans and widows^(Q) in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.^(R)

Favoritism Forbidden

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious^(S) Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.^{(T) 2} Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges^(U) with evil thoughts?

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:^(V) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world^(W) to be rich in faith^(X) and to inherit the kingdom^(Y) he promised those who love him?^{(Z) 6} But you have dishonored the poor.^(AA) Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?^{(AB) 7} Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”^[a](AC) you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism,^(AD) you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.^{(AE) 10} For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles^(AF) at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.^{(AG) 11} For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”^[b](AH) also said, “You shall not murder.”^[c](AI) If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged^(AJ) by the law that gives freedom,^{(AK) 13} because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.^(AL) Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Deeds

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?^(AM) Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.^{(AN) 16} If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?^{(AO) 17} In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.^(AP)

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds,^(AQ) and I will show you my faith^(AR) by my deeds.^(AS)