13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire (A)when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and (B)sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

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

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 (J)Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person (K)be quick to hear, (L)slow to speak, (M)slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore (N)put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with (O)meekness the implanted word, (P)which is able to save your souls.

22 But be (Q)doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, (R)the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, (S)he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious (T)and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's (U)religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: (V)to visit (W)orphans and widows in their affliction, and (X)to keep oneself (Y)unstained from the world.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:17 Some manuscripts variation due to a shadow of turning

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