Greet it as pure joy, my brothers, when you come across any sort of trial,

so clear away all the foul rank growth of malice, and make a soil of modesty for the Word which roots itself inwardly with power to save your souls.

Pure, unsoiled religion in the judgment of God the Father means this: to care for orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself from the stain of the world.

Suppose there comes into your meeting a man who wears gold rings and handsome clothes, and also a poor man in dirty clothes;

if you attend to the wearer of the handsome clothes and say to him, "Sit here, this is a good place," and tell the poor man, "You can stand," or "Sit there at my feet,"

Listen, my beloved brothers; has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the realm which he has promised to those who love him?

Now you insult the poor. Is it not the rich who lord it over you and drag you to court?

Is it not they who scoff at the noble Name you bear?

Does a fountain pour out fresh water and brackish from the same hole?

Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives? Or a vine, figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, forbearing, conciliatory, full of mercy and wholesome fruit, unambiguous, straightforward;

Is anyone of you in trouble? let him pray. Is anyone thriving? let him sing praise.

Is anyone ill? let him summon the presbyters of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;

So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed; the prayers of the righteous have a powerful effect.