{{:Jas 1:17}}

On day five of Genesis 1, God brought forth fish and birds from the water. Water is a symbol of the word of God. The Hebrew word 'amar' is 'said' and 'word', but it is also 'lamb'. Jesus is the Word, and he is the Truth. By him, by the waters of day 5, we were brought forth by his word as his first fruits. We are the fish that swim in the water/word, and the birds that fly in the air/spirit.

[[Jas 1:18]] In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

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James moves on from the temptation and creation to Cain. "If you do right, won't you be lifted up?" [[שאת]]. God uses a play on words. If you do right, won't you be Seth? [[שת]] [compensation or rewarded]. Seth replaces Abel after his death, and is the 'second son' who gets elevated.

[[Jas 1:19]] You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger;

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Wrath is a strong word that we avoid lest we judge ourselves harshly. But the word 'aph' has the meaning of a snorting nose; the huff of indignation of being bothered.

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The earth was filled with wickedness, but Noah found grace.

[[Jas 1:21]] 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.

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Naaman is a good example, but Noah is also.

[[Jas 1:22]] But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

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mirror [[ראי]] is a 'revealing [[ר]] lure [[אי]] and you see in it a 'destitute [[רא]] creation [[י]].

[[Jas 1:23]] For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror;

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[[Jas 1:24]] for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.

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[[Jas 1:25]] 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.

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callback to 'slow to speak, slow to anger'

[[Jas 1:26]] If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.

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Anger is from universal sin. It's opposite is Love.-

[[Jas 1:27]] Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

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