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

2 tn The first phrase refers to the action of giving and the second to what is given.

3 tn Or “All generous giving and every perfect gift from above is coming down.”

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

5 tn Grk “Having willed, he gave us birth.”

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