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)