unfoldingWord_en_tn/jas/01/26.md

# thinks himself to be religious

"thinks he worships God correctly"

# his tongue

Controlling one's tongue stands for controlling one's speech. AT: "what he says" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# deceives

"fools" or "misleads"

# his heart

Here "heart" refers to his belief or thoughts. AT: "himself" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# his religion is worthless

"he worships God uselessly"

# pure and unspoiled

James speaks of religion, the way one worships God, as if it could be physically pure and unspoiled. These are traditional ways for Jews to say that something is acceptable to God. AT: "Completely acceptable" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# before our God and Father

directed to God (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# the fatherless

"the orphans"

# in their affliction

The fatherless and widows are suffering because their fathers or husbands have died.

# to keep oneself unstained by the world

Sin in the world is spoken of as something dirty that can stain a person. AT: "to not allow the evil in the world to cause oneself to sin" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])