James 1:19–20
Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger
Study it word by word19Know this, my beloved brothers. And let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
20for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.
In its context
17Every good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
18Because he willed it, he brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
…
21Therefore, putting away all filthiness and abundance of wickedness, receive with gentleness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Its words in the original
- ἼστεIste· know
Know, understand; also see.
- ἀδελφοίadelphoi· brother
Brother. Also a close relative, a fellow countryman and, among believers, a brother in the faith.
- ἀγαπητοίagapētoi· beloved
Beloved, dear.
- ἔστωestō· be
Be, exist.
- ἄνθρωποςanthrōpos· human being, man
Human being, person, man (without distinguishing male or female).
- ταχὺςtachys· quick
Quick, swift; "quickly".
- ἀκοῦσαιakousai· hear, listen
Hear, listen; also heed.
- βραδὺςbradys· slow
Slow.
- λαλῆσαιlalēsai· speak
Speak, talk.
- ὀργήνorgēn· wrath, anger
Anger, wrath; said of God, his judgment against evil.
- ἀνδρὸςandros· man, husband
Man, adult male; with a possessive, "husband".
- δικαιοσύνηνdikaiosynēn· righteousness
Righteousness: what is right before God, and living by it.
- θεοῦtheou· God, god
God. In the plural or in another sense, "gods".
- ἐργάζεταιergazetai· work
Work, do, carry out.