James 1:16-19

1:16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹  1:17 All generous giving and every perfect gift ²  is from above, coming down ³  from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. ⁴  1:18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth ⁵  through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Living Out the Message

1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! ⁶  Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.

[1:16]  ¹ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

[1:17]  ² tn The first phrase refers to the action of giving and the second to what is given.

[1:17]  ³ tn Or “All generous giving and every perfect gift from above is coming down.”

[1:17]  ⁴ tn Grk “variation or shadow of turning” (referring to the motions of heavenly bodies causing variations of light and darkness).

[1:18]  ⁵ tn Grk “Having willed, he gave us birth.”

[1:19]  ⁶ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.