Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

For if someone comes into your assembly wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes,

do you pay attention to the one who is finely dressed and say, "You sit here in a good place," and to the poor person, "You stand over there," or "Sit on the floor"?

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts?

A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it?

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.

Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises.

Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.