¹⁸ So pay attention to how you listen, for to those who have, more will be given, and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”^(A)

¹² For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.^(A)

²⁶ ‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.^(A)

²³ If you have ears to hear, then hear!”^{(A) 24} And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and it will be added to you.^{(B) 25} For to those who have, more will be given, and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”^(C)

²⁹ For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.^(A)

Warning to Pay Attention

2 Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

² He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes^[a] to make it bear more fruit.

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

2 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.^{(A) 2} Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation^(B)—

Hearing and Doing the Word

¹⁹ You must understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger,^{(A) 20} for human anger does not produce God’s righteousness.^{[a] 21} Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.^(B)

²² But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.^{(C) 23} For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves^[b] in a mirror;^{(D) 24} for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. ²⁵ But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.^(E)

²⁶ If any think they are religious and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.^(F)