¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ^17 (A)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from ^(B)the Father of lights, ^(C)with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.^{[a] 18 (D)}Of his own will he ^(E)brought us forth by the word of truth, ^(F)that we should be a kind of ^(G)firstfruits of his creatures.

⁹ Or which one of you, if his son asks him for ^(A)bread, will give him ^(B)a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, ^(C)who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will ^(D)your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!