Hearing and Doing the Word

¹⁹ My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,^{(A) 20} for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. ²¹ Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil,^[a] humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.^[b](B)

Proud or Humble

4 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings^(A) that are at war within you?^{[a] 2} You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.^(B)

⁴ Adulteresses!^[b][c] Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy.^{(C) 5} Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously?^[d](D)

⁶ But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says:

⁷ Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.^{(F) 8} Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!^{(G) 9} Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow.^{(H) 10} Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.