17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,(A) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,(B) who does not change(C) like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth(D) through the word of truth,(E) that we might be a kind of firstfruits(F) of all he created.

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17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is (A)from above, coming down from (B)the Father of lights, (C)with whom there is no variation or [a]shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of (D)His will He (E)gave us birth by (F)the word of truth, so that we would be [b]a kind of (G)first fruits [c]among His creatures.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:17 Lit shadow of turning
  2. James 1:18 Or a certain first fruits
  3. James 1:18 Lit of

17 Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing. 18 He wanted us to be his own special people,[a] and so he sent the true message to give us new birth.

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Footnotes

  1. 1.18 his own special people: The Greek text has “the first of his creatures.” The Law of Moses taught that the first-born of all animals and the first part of the harvest were special and belonged to the Lord.

17 Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a] 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:17 Other ancient authorities read variation due to a shadow of turning

17 Every 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. 18 By his own will he brought us into being through the word of truth, so that we should have first place among all his creatures.

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