James 1:26-27

Hearing and Doing the Word

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious _q and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's _r religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: _s to visit _t orphans and widows in their affliction, and _u to keep oneself _v unstained from the world.

1. Cross References
   James 3:2 - 3
   For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
   Psalms 39:1
   I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.
   James 3:6
   And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
   Psalms 34:13
   Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
   Psalms 141:3
   Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
   
2. Cross References
   Acts 26:5
   They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
   
3. Cross References
   Matthew 25:36
   I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
   
4. Cross References
   Job 31:17 - 18
   Or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it
   Isaiah 1:17
   Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.
   Isaiah 1:23
   Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them.
   
5. Cross References
   1 Timothy 5:22
   Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
   1 John 5:18
   We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
   
6. Cross References
   2 Peter 3:14
   Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.