Pure religion and undefiled with God even the Father is this, to relieve the orphans and widows in their affliction, and keep himself unspotted from the world.

For if a gold-ringed man may come into your synagogue, in shining apparel, and a poor man may also come in with soiled clothing;

and you may look upon the one wearing the shining garment, and say, Sit thou here in a good place; and may say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit down beneath my footstool:

Hear, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen the poor in the world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him with divine love?

You have dishonored the poor. Do not the rich domineer over you, and drag you into courts?

But the wisdom which is from above is indeed first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily persuaded, full of mercy and of good works, free from partiality and hypocrisy.

Who is afflicted among you? let him pray. Who is merry? let him sing psalms.

Is any one sick among you? 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.

Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, in order that you may be healed: the inward working prayer of a righteous man avails much.