James 1:23 bbe — Because if any man is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a glass;

Bible in Basic English

"Because if any man is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a glass;"

— James 1:23, Bible in Basic English

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James 1:23 in Other Translations

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James 1 — Context

20

For the righteousness of God does not come about by the wrath of man.

21

For this reason, putting away all dirty behaviour and the overweight of evil, take into your souls without pride the word which, being planted there, is able to give you salvation.

22

But be doers of the word, and not only hearers of it, blinding yourselves with false ideas.

23

Because if any man is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a glass;

24

For after looking at himself he goes away, and in a short time he has no memory of what he was like.

25

But he who goes on looking into the true law which makes him free, being not a hearer without memory but a doer putting it into effect, this man will have a blessing on his acts.

26

If a man seems to have religion and has no control over his tongue but lets himself be tricked by what is false, this man's religion is of no value.

James 1:23 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does James 1:23 say?
James 1:23 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “Because if any man is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a glass;”
Where is James 1:23 in the Bible?
James 1:23 is found in the New Testament, in the book of James, chapter 1, verse 23.
Who wrote James?
James is traditionally attributed to James, half-brother of Jesus, leader of the Jerusalem church. It was written c. AD 44–49.
What is the book of James about?
James is the New Testament's closest cousin to Old-Testament wisdom literature — pungent, practical, and uncompromising. Faith without works is dead. The tongue is a fire. The prayers of a righteous man avail much. It calls Christians to walk their talk.
What are the major themes of James?
James explores themes including Faith and Works, Wisdom, Speech, Suffering, Prayer. These themes shape the meaning and context of James 1:23.
What translation should I read James 1:23 in?
James 1:23 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize James 1:23?
James 1:23 reads (BBE): “Because if any man is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a glass;” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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