1019 B
1019 B
Obey the word
Obey the word of God" or "Obey God's message to you."
deceiving your own selves
"deceiving yourselves" or "fooling yourselves"
For if anyone hears the word and does not do it, he is like a man examining his natural face in a mirror.
James makes a comparison between a person who hears God word and does not obey it to a person who looks in the mirror then forgets what he looks like. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile)
examining his natural face...and soon forgets
the man looking at his face and soon forgetting what he saw is the like the man who hears the Word of God and forgets what he heard.
the perfect law, the law of liberty
"the perfect law that gives freedom"
not just being a hearer who forgets
"not just listening and then forgetting it"
this man will be blessed as he does it
This can be translated with an active clause "God will bless this man as he obeys the law." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive)