18 In the exercise of (A)His will He (B)gave us birth by (C)the word of truth, so that we would be [a]a kind of (D)first fruits [b]among His creatures.

19 [c](E)You know this, (F)my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, (G)slow to speak, and (H)slow to anger; 20 for a man’s (I)anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, (J)ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all [d]that remains of wickedness, in [e]humility receive (K)the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 (L)But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his [f]natural face (M)in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, [g]he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, (N)the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but [h]an active doer, this person will be (O)blessed in [i]what he does.

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not [j](P)bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion (Q)in the sight of our God and Father is this: to (R)visit (S)orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained [k]by (T)the world.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:18 Or a certain first fruits
  2. James 1:18 Lit of
  3. James 1:19 Or Know this
  4. James 1:21 Lit abundance of malice
  5. James 1:21 Or gentleness
  6. James 1:23 Lit the face of his birth; or nature
  7. James 1:24 Lit and he
  8. James 1:25 Lit a doer of a work
  9. James 1:25 Lit his doing
  10. James 1:26 Or control
  11. James 1:27 Lit from

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