21 Therefore, (A)ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all [a]that remains of wickedness, in [b]humility receive (B)the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 (C)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 [c]natural face (D)in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, [d]he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, (E)the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but [e]an active doer, this person will be (F)blessed in [f]what he does.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:21 Lit abundance of malice
  2. James 1:21 Or gentleness
  3. James 1:23 Lit the face of his birth; or nature
  4. James 1:24 Lit and he
  5. James 1:25 Lit a doer of a work
  6. James 1:25 Lit his doing

21 So get rid of all uncleanness and [a]all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the word [b]without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets [c]what he looked like. 25 But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but [d]an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:21 Lit surplus of.
  2. James 1:23 Lit and is not a doer.
  3. James 1:24 Lit what sort he was.
  4. James 1:25 Lit a doer of work.