₁₇Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning. ₁₈By his own will he brought us into being through the word of truth, so that we should have first place among all his creatures.

₁₉Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. ₂₀Human anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose. ₂₁So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you.

₂₂Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. ₂₃Whoever listens to the word but does not put it into practice is like a man who looks in a mirror and sees himself as he is. ₂₄He takes a good look at himself and then goes away and at once forgets what he looks like. ₂₅But those who look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, who keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice — they will be blessed by God in what they do.

₂₆Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourselves. ₂₇What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.