Religion, pure 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.

For if there comes into your assembly a man in splendid apparel, and with gold rings on his fingers, and there comes in also a poor man, in mean clothing,

and you show regard to him that wears the splendid apparel, and say to him, Sit here, in an honorable place; and you say to the poor man, Do you stand there, or sit here, under my footstool;

Hear, my be loved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God has promised to those who love him?

But you dishonor the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and do they not themselves drag you to the judgment-seats?

Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olives, or the vine, figs? So no fountain can produce salt water and fresh.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Is any one among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any one cheerful? let him sing praise.

Is any one among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil, in the name of the Lord.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be restored to health: the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.