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

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26 If anyone[a] thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue,(A) then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our[b] God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows(B) in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:26 Other mss add among you
  2. James 1:27 Or before the

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

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