Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
17 every good gift-giving[a] and every perfect gift-given is from-above, coming down from the Father of lights[b], with Whom there is no variation[c] or shadow[d] of turning. 18 Having willed[e] it, He brought[f] us forth by the word of truth so that we might be a kind-of firstfruit of His creatures. 19 You know[g] this, my beloved brothers, but[h] let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow into anger. 20 For the anger of a man does not produce[i] the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore having laid-aside all filthiness and abundance[j] of badness, receive with gentleness the implanted word being able to save your souls.
But Be Doers of The Word, Not Hearers Only
22 But be[k] doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding[l] yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man considering[m] the face of his birth[n] in a mirror. 24 For he considered himself and has gone-away and immediately forgot[o] what-sort of man he was. 25 But the one having looked into the perfect law of liberty and having continued, not having become a forgetful[p] hearer, but a doer of work— this one will be blessed in his doing. 26 If anyone thinks that he is religious while not bridling[q] his tongue, but deceiving his heart, the religion[r] of this one is worthless[s]. 27 This is pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father— to be looking-after orphans and widows in their affliction; to be keeping oneself unspotted by the world.
Pharisees Object To Eating With Unwashed Hands. Jesus Condemns Their Traditions
7 And the Pharisees and some of the scribes are gathered-together with Him, having come from Jerusalem. 2 And having seen some of His disciples, that they are eating their bread with defiled[a] hands, that is, unwashed[b]— 3 for the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands with a fist[c], holding-on-to the tradition of the elders. 4 And they do not eat [when they return][d] from the marketplace unless they cleanse[e] [themselves]. And there are many other traditions which they received to hold-on-to— the cleansing of cups and pitchers and copper-pots and couches[f]. 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes ask Him, “For what reason are Your disciples not walking according to the tradition of the elders, but are eating their bread with defiled hands?” 6 And the One said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly concerning you hypocrites, as it has been written [in Isa 29:13], that ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far distant from Me. 7 But they are worshiping Me in-vain[g], teaching as teachings[h] the commandments of humans’. 8 Having neglected the commandment of God, you are holding on to the tradition of humans!”
14 And having summoned the crowd again, He was saying to them, “Everyone listen-to Me and understand— 15 there is nothing outside of the person proceeding into him which is able to defile him. But the things proceeding out of the person are the things defiling the person.
21 For from within, out of the heart of people, proceed the evil thoughts, sexual-immoralities, thefts, murders, 22 adulteries, greeds, evils, deceit, sensuality, an evil eye[a], blasphemy, arrogance, foolishness. 23 All these evil things proceed-out from within, and defile the person”.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing