James (Yaqob) Chapter 1
1) James... Yaqob... 2385 Iakobos {ee-ak'-o-bos} - a Graecised form of the word Iacob 2384 - which is transliterated from the Hebrew originated word Ya`acob 3290 "heel catcher", or, "supplanter"... a servant of Yahweh; and of the Master, Yahushua the Anointed One. To the twelve tribes that are scattered abroad... 1290 diaspora {dee-as-por-ah'} - a scattering... the dispersion... To the twelve tribes of Israelites that have been dispersed... scattered... Greeting... 5463 chairo {khah'-ee-ro} - a primary verb meaning "be joyful", "be well", or "be glad" - used in its absolute sense at the beginning of a letter, formal speech, or statement with the simple, or, basic form of the verb - chairein {khah'-ee-ray-in} - to give someone a greeting or to address someone with good will or respect...
*** This "James", whose actual name is Yacob, is almost universally thought to be one of the half brothers of Yahushua fathered by Joseph, the husband of Miriam, who is the mother of Yahushua...
The following references, aside from those in the four gospels, have to do with James:
Acts 1:13-14; 12:17; 21:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:18-19; 2:1-10
While the account in John 7:3-5 points out that Yahushua's brothers did not believe on Him at that time, these other references show us that Yacob came to the realization of Who and What Yahushua is; and that he fully acknowledged Him as the Son of Yahweh, and as the Salvation sent by Yahweh to redeem those called and chosen by Yahweh throughout the time of man. That he taught these things and lived them; and that he became an apostle... a delegate, sent by the Master Yahushua, to declare the Good News of Rescue and Preservation sent by Yahweh... and a leading elder, described by the apostle Shaul in his letter to the Galatians, as one those who seemed to be pillars of strength and support within the Assembly of believers of the Way of Yahushua that was in Yerushalem...
2) My brethren... 80 adelphos [ad-el-fos'} - my kinsmen... who have the same national ancestry...,
*** Note: This letter could, at this time, be viewed either as an address to all Hebrew brethren, regardless of their comprehension of the salvation sent by Yahweh, or, as an exhortation to those who have had the light switched on in the eyes of their mind by Father Yahweh having drawn them toward Yahushua... Certainly it is possible that both kinds were touched by the message, wherever it was sent, for it was read out loud, or repeated and discussed, where all ears could hear in the daily lives of those living at that time... That this letter is an exhortation to those Israelite brethren who have been touched by the Salvation sent from Yahweh; and who now serve the Master, Yahushua, the Anointed One of Yahweh, becomes apparent in ensuing chapters...
count it all... 2233 hegeomai {hayg-eh'-om-ahee} - consider it all to be... believe all of it to be... be of the opinion that all of it is... think of it all to be... joy... 5479 chara {khar-ah'} - the cause or occasion for being joyful... when you fall into... 4045 peripipto {per-ee-pip'-to} - when you fall into the midst of; and are completely surrounded with... diverse... 4164 poikilos {poy-kee'-los} - various types of... various methods of... temptations... 3986 peirasmos {pi-ras-mos'} - testing your integrity... proving your character to see whether or not it is morally excellent, or, "as it ought to be"...
3) Knowing... 1097 ginosko {ghin-oce'-ko} - learn to know from these various ways in which your character and integrity is put to the test... that the testing of your faith... the testing or proving out of the conviction of what you percieve as truth...
*** A Note of Contrast:
For the Israelite brother who does not know Yahweh's Salvation through Yahushua, now that death has been conquered, this perception of truth is a darkness... a blindness... of comprehension... a lack of an ability to understand the True Truth of Who and What Yahweh is, and Who and What His Salvation is... This perception; and all actions that are taken as a result of this conviction of truth, leads to a sad, inevitable realization of the impossibility of Yahweh's approval.
For those Israelite brothers who have light shining within the eyes of their mind, this is the truth of Yahweh and of Yahushua that you now have; and this testing...
works... 2716 katergazomai {kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee} - accomplishes... brings about... achieves the results of... patience... 5281 hupomone {hoop-om-on-ay'} - steadfastness... endurance... perseverance...
*** Note: Compare with Yahushua's own words... concerning the testing of someone's character and integrity as Yahweh's Beloved...
Matthew 5:10-17 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 11 Blessed will you be when men will revile you, and persecute you, and will make false accusations against you about all types of wickedness, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad when this takes place. For your reward in heaven is great. For in the same manner did they persecute the prophets who lived in history before you. 13 You are the salt of the earth; but if that which is known to be salt has lost its salty properties, how will it ever become salt again? It is, from that time onward, good for nothing; and there is nothing that can be done with it, except that it is to be thrown out onto the ground to be walked upon and mixed into the earth under foot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set up high on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel; but they put it on a candlestick instead; and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine in this manner before all men, so that they can see your good works; and give praise and honor to your Father, who is in heaven.
4) Moreover... more than learning to know this..., let patience have her perfect work... "let" - 2192 echo {ekh'-o} - have, in the sense of wearing, like a covering that can be displayed... hold to, as a possession of your mind..., willfully, consistently choose to always be in an internal, mental state or condition of... "patience" - 5281 hupomone {hoop-om-on-ay'} - steadfastness... endurance... perseverance... "have" - 2192 echo {ekh'-o} - possess... "perfect" - 5046 teleios {tel'-i-os} - a completion of... a full, complete end of... "work" - 2041 ergon {er'-gon} - its deed... its undertaking... its business... whatever it had set out to accomplish... so that you can be perfect... 5046 teleios {tel'-i-os} - so that you can be brought to maturity... and entire... 3648 holokleros {hol'ok'-lay-ros} - and so that you can become complete in all respects, and not lacking in anything whatsoever throughout the remainder of your physical life...
More than learning to know this..., for this knowledge is not instantaneous and spontaneous..., have, in the sense of wearing, like a covering that can be displayed... hold, as a possession of your mind..., be willfully and consistently choosing to always exist in an internal, mental state or condition of... steadfastness... endurance... perseverance... By an act of your will, make this take place in order for this consistent mental position to possess a full, thorough, and completely finished end of whatever it is to accomplish. So that you can be brought to full maturity; and become complete in all respects. Not lacking in any regard whatsoever throughout the remainder of your physical life...
*** Note of comparison:
1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, we are now the sons of Yahweh, and it has not yet become clearly understood what we will become; but we know that when He... when Yahweh... does become actually, visibly, and plainly recognized by all the world..., when Yahushua returns as He said that He would..., then we will resemble Him. For it then that we will look at Yahushua with our physical eyes; and perceive Him to be as He truly is with the eyes of our minds; 3 And every one who has this expectation within himself/herself, moves himself/herself to take action to purify himself/herself morally and ethically in proportion to the degree that he comprehends that Yahushua is pure...
*** Note: Because we know that the spirit of error is at work and at war with the Spirit of Truth, we must be watchful, diligent, and carefully consistent so that we do not assume the truth of anything. If the Most Holy, Rational Spirit is the generating force within anyone to cause these actions of moral and ethical purification to take place, then the perception of Yahushua is accurate; and the end result is "as it ought to be", and clearly manifested to the surrounding world... If that is not the spirit within someone attempting to affect change, then those fruits will also be clearly recognized by those able to discern rightly...
*** Notice that ceremonial cleansing and ritual purification is not the concept being spoken of here...
5) If any of you perceive that you are lacking in wisdom... 4678 sophia {sof-ee'-ah} - wisdom from Yahweh as opposed to wisdom from the inherent nature of men... in this case this word is used to infer the wisdom associated with regulating one's life and squaring it with Yahweh's Order..., then let him ask for it from Yahweh, who gives to all liberally... 574 haplos {hap-loce'} - openly... sincerely..., truthfully, with no pretense or guile..., and who does not upbraid... 3679 oneidizo [on-i-did'-zo} - does not revile... does not belittle... does not speak abusively to... anyone for asking, and it will be given to him.
*** Note: Wisdom -
Proverbs 9:10 10 The fear... 3374 yir`ah {yir-aw'} - the terror... the dread... - the reverence and respect that is generated by the fearing... of Yahweh is the beginning... 8462 techilla {tekh-il-law'} - begins... is the first time - in the sense of opening - for the operation... of wisdom... 2451 chokmah {khok-maw} - the ability to act wisely...; and the knowledge... 1847 da`ath {dah'-ath} - the perception... the discernment... of the holy... 6918 qadowsh {kaw-doshe'} - of that which is set apart... - the ability to distinguish the distinction between what is, and what is not set apart or consecrated to Yahweh, due its state or condition of being pure... is understanding... 0998 biynah {bee-naw'} - is discernment... is knowledge... is insight...
This is the one thing that can be asked for by anyone, in any stage, of learning the Truth and Salvation of Yahweh for all.
6) Moreover..., More than this... More than merely asking for wisdom in a casual, shallow context, it must be understood that... the one who asks for anything from Yahweh has to make sure that he/she asks in faith... that he/she is being convicted..., fully convinced..., of the True Truth of Who and What Yahweh IS... with nothing wavering... 1252 diakrino {dee-ak-ree'-no} - without any uncertainty of what he/she is asking for... and why... Not being in a doubtful, hesitational state of internal turmoil and indecision regarding his/her conviction of what is the truth in any matter under consideration for the circumstance at hand... For anyone who hesitates while in doubt is like a wave of the sea that is agitated by the driving force of the wind and tossed forward and back... the mind wavers in uncertainty between doing or not doing something... Be sure that what you are wanting to do, or see done, is in one accord with Yahweh's Truth and Order before going to prayer to ask Father Yahweh for anything so that what you want or need can be given to you...
7) This is most important..., because anyone who is in that condition... anyone who is in the condition of mental uncertainty and anguish caused by doubts of whether or not he/she is in synch with Yahweh and His Order... should not think that he/she will receive anything from the Lord... 2962 kurios {koo'-ree-os} -Yahweh - the Supreme One Who possesses all things and Who has the power of deciding how He will distribute, use, and dispose of all things that He has control of...
8) This is so because... a double minded... 1374 dipsuchos {dip'-soo-khos} - a wavering... a doubting... an uncertain... man/woman is unstable... 182 akatastatos {ak-at-as'-tat-os} - is restless... is not steadfast... is easily changeable... in all of his/her ways... 3598 hodos {hod-os'} - travelled roads... metaphorically - in all of his/her courses of conduct... - A wavering, doubting, indecisive man/woman is not steadfast and is easily changeable in all of his/her ways of thinking, and feeling, decision making, and action taking.
*** Food for thought: All through the translated/transliterated Greek text, the concept of Kurios - God - the Supreme One to Whom all things belong, is presented as the manner of reference to Him and to Yahushua, Yahweh manifested in the flesh. The name of Yahweh is hidden. Not used. A clear contrast to the manner in which the names of the mythical gods of the Greeks were casually spoken in every day conversation.
The hiding of Yahweh's name and all that it brings to the remembering mind was clearly a work being done by the Spirit of error even in the earliest of the transliterated writings...
This is not what Yahushua would have had His apostles do. For they were delegates, mentored and sent by Yahushua, to proclaim the Good News of the True Truth and Salvation of Yahweh.
The True Truth of Who and What Yahweh IS; and the Salvation, the Restoration, and the Preservation that He had sent in the person of Yahushua, which had been hidden; and which Yahushua was instructed to reveal, does not hide itself for any reason if it is to be declared and proclaimed publicly; and He would not have had the teachers to rightly divide what is written in His inspired Word, who were inspired by the Spirit of Yahushua... which is the Spirit of Prophecy... , hide the remembrance of all that His name means either as they spoke and taught those chosen to hear True Truth... SELAH!
9) The brother... 80 adelphos {ad-el-fos'} - The brother who, according to the context of this letter, is by genealogical heritage from one of the twelve tribes of Israel... see verse one of this chapter...; and who is also a believer of the Way of Yahushua... see chapter two verse one... who is of a low degree... 5011 tapeinos {tap-i-nos'} - who is poor; and therefore low in rank, status, or position in comparison with the other who are brothers in the same context..., should rejoice... 2744 kauchaomai {kow-khah'-om-ahee} - should be in a state of absolute happiness while in this condition... because he realizes that he is exalted...5311 hupsos {hoop'-sos} - he is aware that he is viewed, by Yahweh, as one who is of an elevated status in his standing before Yahweh. He is regarded in this manner by Yahwheh regardless of his condition of physical and material non-prosperity...;
10) But... moreover... the brother..., in the same context..., who is a rich man, has cause to rejoice because he is made low... 5014 tapeinosis {tap-i'-no-sis} - because he is humbled in his physical life due to his awareness that his prosperity cannot extend the length of his physical life or cause him to gain the approval of Yahweh in any way... Because he knows... Because he is aware... that, just like a flower of the grass... 5528 chortos {khor'-tos} - just like one of the flowers that are to be found amongst the herbage that grows in a field..., he will pass away... 3928 parerchomai {par-er'-khom-ahee} - he will physically die... his body will decay to dust...
11) For the sun will have no sooner risen with a burning heat; and the grass in the field already begins to dry up; and the flower of the grassy field wilts and falls down powerless; and the beauty of the appearance of the flower is destroyed as it dries up. In the same manner will the rich man fade away in his willful purposes and pursuits as he continues his journey through the remainder of his physical life.
12) Happy is the man who endures... 5278 hupomeno {hoop-om-en'-o} - who perseveres... who maintains his internal mental position of steadfastness due to his faith... his conviction of truth in regard to his proper standing and status before Yahweh and other men... throughout... temptation... 3986 peirasmos {pi-ras-mos} - trial and testing for the purposes of proving out the integrity and character...; for, when he is tried... 1384 dokimos {dok'-ee-mos} - when he is accepted... when he is pleasing... for faith is not just a mental condition; but the decisions and actions taken as a result of the conviction of the truth of the salvation of Yahweh must bear witness to the hope that remains within..., then he will receive the crown... 4735 Stephanos {stef'-an-os} - the mark of royal or exalted rank and honor... of life... 2222 zoe {dzo-ay'} - the absolute fullness - the state of vitality that has no lack... the ethical, moral, spiritual awareness and ability that is beyond the physical capabilities of the fleshly body, that is a part of the state or condition of life that is without beginning or end... eternal... everlasting... which is; and has always been, normal within the domain of Yahwehs Order... which Yahweh has promised to those who love Him...
Restated for clarity:
The man/woman who perseveres and maintains his/her internal mental stance of steadfastness, due to his/her conviction of truth in regard to his/her proper place and status before Yahweh and others of mankind throughout the trials and testings of his/her character and integrity which will occur throughout the remainder of his/her physical life within the order of mankind, is truly blessed.
For it must be comprehended that faith is not just a mental condition or state. The decisions that are made, and the actions that are taken during the remainder of his/her physical life must also bear witness to the hope of good things to come which exists and remains within him/her. For these things could only exist due to the fully persuaded conviction of the truth of Yahweh's Order and salvation.
When he/she is accepted and found to be pleasing to Yahweh and His Order, he/she will receive the mark of royalty and honor that is a part of the absolute fulness of life. Which is the ethical, moral, and spiritual awareness and ability that is beyond mere physical and mental capabilities that are inherent in the physical body, and govern the life of the flesh. This life, as a part of that absolute fulness, is eternal. Completely beyond the constrictions of time or age as Yahweh Himself is; and this life, which is true life according to Yahweh's Order, has always been characteristic of what is normal within the domain of Yahweh's Order...
13) Let no man say, or think within himself, when he is tempted 3985 peirazo {pi-rad'-zo} - when he faces adversities throughout the remainder of his physical life; and when his character and integrity is proved out to be whatever it is in this manner...: "I am being maliciously tempted by Yahweh". For Yahweh cannot be tempted with evil... 2556 kakos {kak-os"} - Yahweh cannot be tempted with anything that is from a bad nature compared to the nature of Yahweh and His Order, for Yahweh's nature is above and beyond the scope and power of evil...; and neither does He tempt... 3985 pierazo {pi-rad'-zo} - test anyone's faith, virtue, or character by enticing them to sin, or by inflicting them with anything that is not from His nature... that is evil... in order to cause him/her to fall away from the path of life that is as it ought to be... Yahweh will not violate His own nature to do something malicious...
14) But instead, everyone is tempted, Every one is tested... the stance and quality of their character and integrity is proven for what it is... when he/she is drawn... 1185 deleazo {del-eh-ad'-zo} - when he/she is enticed... when he/she is deceived... when he/she is lured out and away from where he/she ought to be in his/her stance of steadfast integrity within Yahweh's Order... because of his/her own lust... 1939 epithumia {ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah} - because of his/her own desires, longings and cravings for what is forbidden within Yahweh's Order...; and he/she is caught with that bait.
15) Then, when lust has conceived... 4815 sullambano {sool-lamn-ban'-o} - When the desire, or longing for what is forbidden has seized ...has overpowered... him/her, and has captured him/her... taken him/her prisoner..., it... the forbidden desire or longing... then produces sin... 266 hamartia {ham-ar-tee'-ah} - that which is done wrongly... an offence, in thought or action, against Yahweh and His Order...; and willful rebellion against Yahweh and His Order, when it is finished... 658 apoteleo {ap-ot-el-eh'-o} - when it has become all that it can become... it brings forth... 616 apokueo {ap-ok-oo-eh'-o} - produces... fathers... or gives birth to... death... the absolute fullness of death... absolute destruction... Complete and eternal separation from the ability to ever be approved of by Yahweh and be a part of His Order for eternity... the absolute opposite of the promise of Yahweh for those who are "as they ought to be"...
*** The Decalogue - The Ten Words carved into two tablets of stone by Yahweh's own hand - The Ten Commandments - are still the measuring focal point... the Plumbline set in Israel... for anyone's proper standing before Yahweh or another member of mankind... They are, as they have always been meant to be, still the deterrent for those desires and longings that would capture and enslave someone, change their priorities and behavior; and cause their utter destruction out of Yahweh's Order and life. These instructions and warnings for the behavior of Yahweh's chosen, set apart people have not been abolished by the torture stake of Yahushua... and will never be abolished throughout the remainder of the time of man... SELAH!
16) Do not err... 4105 planao {plan-ah'-o} - do not wander away from the path of life... do not be led again, by desires and longings for things that are forbidden, into error, rebellion, and destruction... my beloved brethren... 27 agapetos {ag-ap-ay-tos'} - contextually - my dearly beloved brethren of the Way of Yahushua who are of the heritage of Israel...
17) Every good gift, ...Every thing that has been given... that is honorable... that is truly excellent... that exists and has been given because of the good nature... the nature which is "as it ought to be"... and every perfect gift... 5046 teleios {tel'-i-os} - and every completely finished gift, that is not lacking in any way... is from above... is from the Order of things that is and has always been a part of Yahweh...; and it comes down from the Father of light... 5457 phos {foce} - the light... the fire... the illumination... it comes down to us from the Originator and Creator of the illumination - the life force - of men... with whom there is no variation or change, neither is there any shadow... 644 aposkiasma {ap-os-kee'-as-mah} - no shady or gray area... no overshadowing... of turning... 5157 trope {trop-ay'} - no overshadowing of Yahweh's Order that can be caused by capitulation to... an acceptance of... a caving in to... any greater authority...
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John Chapter 1:1-4
In the beginning was the spoken Word...the embodiment of concept(s) or idea(s) in a spoken form..., and the Word... and these spoken concepts and ideas... was with... existed with regard to and to the advantage of... Yahweh; and the Word... and these concepts and ideas in spoken form... was Yahweh... since they emanated from Yahweh; and began to exist due to his having spoken them, they were integrally and intimately a part of Yahweh and His Order... Therefore they were Yahweh...
2) This order of things was in the beginning with regard to Yahweh.
3) All things were made through, and by reason of Him... All things were caused to exist through the force and effort applied by Yahweh; and as a result of the reasoning ability of our Creator...; and outside of Yahweh nothing was made... nothing was brought into existence... that was caused to exist.
4) In Him... In Yahweh, the Creator... was life... the state of being animate... of being alive... existed...; and the life...and the state of being alive, the life force that came from Yahweh only... was the illumination of men... was what caused men to have life... was what brought Adam and the beginning of mankind to an animated, self aware state of existence
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*** Note: The characteristic quality of life that existed within Adam and his wife before their fall, capture, and banishment from the ability to eat from the tree of eternal life... was the type and quality of life which was as it was supposed to be within Yahweh's Perfect Order for man... Selah
Back to Yacob chapter 1
18) The Father brought us forth ...Father Yahweh caused us to be birthed into existence, as the new creations which we have become within the formation of creation, who are the chosen and redeemed of the Way of Yahushua... with the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. ...a kind of first within the scope of all creatures that have been made in His creation... Different from all others... Set Apart to Yahweh... Never been done before within the scope of this creation... Selah
19) For this reason..., So then, because we are new creatures within the entirety of this creation that Father Yahweh has caused to exist, for His Will and Purpose... my dearly beloved... 27 agapetos... brethren... 80 adelphos..., every man/woman... who is one of our kind... ought to be swift... 5036 tachus {takh-oos'}... to listen, and slow... 1021 bradus {brad-ooce'}... to speak.... 2980 laleo {lal-eh'-o}... wilfully, deliberately slow against speaking out and declaring what is in the mind and disclosing thoughts in an impulsive manner..., and slow... 1021 bradus {brad-ooce'}... to anger... 3709 orge {or-gay'}... wilfully, deliberately slow against the impulse, brought about by violent emotion, to lash out with the force of words and thoughts or by physical means ...;
20) For the anger... 3709 orge [or-gay} - For the impulsive desires of the natural disposition... of man... 435 aner {an'-ayr} - anyone who is from the collective entity known as mankind... does not accomplish the righteousness of Yahweh. ...The impulsive desire that stems from the reprobate thinking of the reasoning and logic of man does not produce fruit like the reasoning, logic, and action taking which comes from the nature of Yahweh... Which is "as it ought to be"
21) For this reason... Because you are a believer of the Way of Yahushua; and have been redeemed, cleansed from all defilement and now belong to the Master Yahushua. Reborn a new creature within the entirety of this creation that Father Yahweh has caused to exist, for His Will and Purpose..., put away from yourselves... 659 apotithemi {ap-ot-eeth'-ay-mee} - throw off of yourselves... all filthiness... 4507 rhuparia {hroo-par-ee'-ah} - the defilement... all that would dishonor the new creature that Yahweh has caused you to begin to be... and superfluity... 4050 perisseia {per-is-si'-ah} - the overflow... the residue which remains on you from the old, dead creature you used to be... of naughtiness... 2549 kakia {kak-ee'-ah} - which is the wickedness of the heart that is inherent in all mankind and the actions of the life that follows as a consequence of having a heart that has no shame...; and receive with meekness... 4240 prautes {prah-oo'-tace} - take what has been given to us and make it a part of ourselves with the mental stance that demonstrates the power of gentleness that is within we who are new creatures of this kind and who know our proper place before Yahweh... the engrafted... 1721 emphutos {em'-foo-tos} - the inborn... what has been placed within... what has been implanted in us by Yahweh's exerted force and power as a part of our inherent nature at being born a new creature... what we now possess within us as though we were originally, as members of mankind, naturally born with it.... word... 3056 logos {log'-os} - that spoken word in which are the original concepts and ideas which disclose the Mind, Will, and Purpose of Yahweh and His Order... which is able to save your souls.
Restated for clarity:
Because you are a believer... a hearer and doer... of the Way of Yahushua; and because you have been redeemed from the indebtedness of error against Yahweh and His Order.
Because you have been cleansed from all defilement and dishonor that would incur the disapproval of Yahweh; and because you now belong to the Master Yahushua.
Exert your will and power and throw off from yourselves all things that would dishonor the new creature that Yahweh has caused you to begin to be.
Which is the residue which remains on you and within you from the old, dead creature that you used to be. The wickedness of the heart that is inherent in all of mankind; and all of the thoughts, feelings, and actions that stem from the life that follows as a consequence of having a heart that has no shame before Yahweh.
Take what Yahweh has given to you; and make that spoken word of Yahweh in which are the original concepts and ideas which disclose the Mind, Will, and Purpose of Yahweh and His Order, which has been implanted within you by Yahweh and is able to save your soul, a part of yourself.
Do this with the mental stance that demonstrates the power of gentleness that is within us who are one of these new creatures who know our proper place and attitude before Yahweh.
22) And be doers of the word, and do not be of those who only hear, deceiving yourselves by considering what you do to be righteous.
23) For this is true: If any man is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, then he is like a man who looks at the image of his natural face in a glass; ... a mirrored surface...
24) Because, he looks at himself and goes on his way, and then immediately forgets what manner of man he was.
25) But, whoever looks into ...as one who inspects something so as to become familiar with it... the perfect law of liberty; and remains with it. If he is not a forgetful hearer; but instead he is a doer of the work, ...if he is undertaking the labor of obedience... If he is exerting the force and power that is his to exercise his faith during the conduct of everyday life... then this man will be blessed in his doing. ...this speaks of the liberty ...the ability to make the deliberate choice to do what is pleasing to the Master we serve in spite of the test or temptation to do otherwise...
26) If any man among you seems to be one who fears Yahweh; and yet does not control his tongue; but deceives his own heart instead. Then the worship that this man offers to Yahweh is without truth; and is useless and without purpose.
27) The worship and fear of Yahweh, who is truly our Father, that is pure and clean is this: To visit ...to go to see in order to help or benefit... the fatherless and widows in their affliction; and, to keep himself unspotted from the world....and to maintain a condition or state of existence that is unblemished by the profane perception of Yahweh that is of the "world" ... the apt and harmonious order of things that does not truly recognize Yahweh and His Order...
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