James 1:17-26

English Standard Version

^17 (A)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from ^(B)the Father of lights, ^(C)with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.^{[a] 18 (D)}Of his own will he ^(E)brought us forth by the word of truth, ^(F)that we should be a kind of ^(G)firstfruits of his creatures.

Hearing and Doing the Word

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

²² But be ^(O)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, ^(P)the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, ^(Q)he will be blessed in his doing.

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious ^(R)and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's ^(S)religion is worthless.