^16 (A)Do not be ^[a]deceived, ^(B)my beloved brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good thing given and every perfect gift is ^(C)from above, coming down from ^(D)the Father of lights, ^(E)with whom there is no variation or ^[b]shifting shadow. ¹⁸ In the exercise of ^(F)His will He ^(G)gave us birth by ^(H)the word of truth, so that we would be ^[c]a kind of ^(I)first fruits ^[d]among His creatures.

^19 [e](J)You know this, ^(K)my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, ^(L)slow to speak, and ^(M)slow to anger; ²⁰ for a man’s ^(N)anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore, ^(O)ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all ^[f]that remains of wickedness, in ^[g]humility receive ^(P)the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. ^22 (Q)But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his ^[h]natural face ^(R)in a mirror; ²⁴ for once he has looked at himself and gone away, ^[i]he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. ²⁵ But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, ^(S)the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but ^[j]an active doer, this person will be ^(T)blessed in ^[k]what he does.

²⁶ If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not ^[l](U)bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion ^(V)in the sight of our God and Father is this: to ^(W)visit ^(X)orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained ^[m]by ^(Y)the world.