James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care…”

James 1:27

Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

World English Bible

Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

American Standard Version

Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Geneva Bible 1599

Pure religion and vndefiled before God, euen the Father, is this, to visite the fatherlesse, and widdowes in their aduersitie, and to keepe himselfe vnspotted of the world.

Darby Translation

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Young's Literal Translation

religion pure and undefiled with the God and Father is this, to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation — unspotted to keep himself from the world.

Bible in Basic English

The religion which is holy and free from evil in the eyes of our God and Father is this: to take care of children who have no fathers and of widows who are in trouble, and to keep oneself untouched by the world.

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Cross references

“Pure”

1 Timothy 5:4 Psalm 119:1 Luke 1:6 James 3:17 Matthew 5:8 1 Timothy 1:5

1 Timothy 5:4 · BSB

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

Psalm 119:1 · BSB

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.

Luke 1:6 · BSB

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.

James 3:17 · BSB

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

Matthew 5:8 · BSB

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

1 Timothy 1:5 · BSB

The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

“To visit”

1 John 3:17–19 Matthew 25:34–46 Job 31:15–20 Psalm 68:5 Galatians 5:6 Job 29:12

1 John 3:17–19 · BSB

If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

Matthew 25:34–46 · BSB

Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Job 31:15–20 · BSB

Did not He who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same One form us in the womb?

Psalm 68:5 · BSB

A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.

Galatians 5:6 · BSB

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.

Job 29:12 · BSB

because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper.

“to keep”

Romans 12:2 1 John 2:15–17 James 4:4 Colossians 3:1–3 1 John 5:18 Galatians 1:4

Romans 12:2 · BSB

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

1 John 2:15–17 · BSB

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

James 4:4 · BSB

You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Colossians 3:1–3 · BSB

Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

1 John 5:18 · BSB

We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.

Galatians 1:4 · BSB

who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Also

Isaiah 1:23

Isaiah 1:23 · BSB

Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

Read James 1