17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.(A) 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.(B)

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,(C) 20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent,[a] humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.(D)

22 But(E) be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face[b] in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.(F)

26 If anyone[c] thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue,(G) his religion is useless and he deceives himself. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows(H) in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.(I)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1:21 Or the abundance of evil
  2. 1:23 Or at his natural face
  3. 1:26 Other mss add among you

Bible Gateway Recommends

CSB, Here's Hope, NT,  - Case of 48
CSB, Here's Hope, NT, - Case of 48
Retail: $72.00
Our Price: $54.99
Save: $17.01 (24%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Law Enforcement Officer's Bible, Black LeatherTouch
CSB Law Enforcement Officer's Bible, Black LeatherTouch
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $14.29
Save: $10.70 (43%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Baby's New Testament with Psalms, White Imitation Leather
CSB Baby's New Testament with Psalms, White Imitation Leather
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $5.49
Save: $2.50 (31%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Oswald Chambers Bible--soft leather-look, saddle
CSB Oswald Chambers Bible--soft leather-look, saddle
Retail: $64.99
Our Price: $36.99
Save: $28.00 (43%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Outreach Bible, Large Print Edition
CSB Outreach Bible, Large Print Edition
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $4.99
Save: $3.00 (38%)
3.5 of 5.0 stars
CSB Invitation New Testament, Case of 108
CSB Invitation New Testament, Case of 108
Retail: $106.92
Our Price: $78.99
Save: $27.93 (26%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars