^17 (A)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from ^(B)the Father of lights, ^(C)with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.^{[a] 18 (D)}Of his own will he ^(E)brought us forth by the word of truth, ^(F)that we should be a kind of ^(G)firstfruits of his creatures.

²¹ Therefore ^(A)put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with ^(B)meekness the implanted word, ^(C)which is able to save your souls.

²² But be ^(D)doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ²⁵ But the one who looks into the perfect law, ^(E)the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, ^(F)he will be blessed in his doing.

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious ^(G)and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's ^(H)religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: ^(I)to visit ^(J)orphans and widows in their affliction, and ^(K)to keep oneself ^(L)unstained from the world.