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James 1

James 1:17 KJV (With Strong’s)

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17
Every
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
d good
agathos (Greek #18)
"good" (in any sense, often as noun)
KJV usage: benefit, good(-s, things), well. Compare 2570.
Pronounce: ag-ath-os'
Origin: a primary word
gift
dosis (Greek #1394)
a giving; by implication, (concretely) a gift
KJV usage: gift, giving.
Pronounce: dos'-is
Origin: from the base of 1325
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
every
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
perfect
teleios (Greek #5046)
complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with 3588) completeness
KJV usage: of full age, man, perfect.
Pronounce: tel'-i-os
Origin: from 5056
gift
dorema (Greek #1434)
a bestowment
KJV usage: gift.
Pronounce: do'-ray-mah
Origin: from 1433
is
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
from above
anothen (Greek #509)
from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew
KJV usage: from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top.
Pronounce: an'-o-then
Origin: from 507
, and cometh down
katabaino (Greek #2597)
to descend (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: come (get, go, step) down, fall (down).
Pronounce: kat-ab-ah'-ee-no
Origin: from 2596 and the base of 939
from
apo (Greek #575)
"off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
KJV usage: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
Pronounce: apo'
Origin: a primary particle
the Father
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pater (Greek #3962)
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
KJV usage: father, parent.
Pronounce: pat-ayr'
Origin: apparently a primary word
of lights
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
phos (Greek #5457)
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
KJV usage: fire, light.
Pronounce: foce
Origin: from an obsolete φάω (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; compare 5316, 5346)
, with
para (Greek #3844)
properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of)
KJV usage: above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side...by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.
Pronounce: par-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition
whom
hos (Greek #3739)
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
KJV usage: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also 3757.
Pronounce: hos
Origin: ἥ (hay), and neuter ὅ (ho) probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588)
f is
eni (Greek #1762)
impersonally, there is in or among
KJV usage: be, (there) is.
Pronounce: en'-ee
Origin: contraction for the third person singular present indicative of 1751
no
ou (Greek #3756)
the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not
KJV usage: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.
Pronounce: oo
Origin: οὐκ (ook), and (before an aspirate) οὐχ (ookh) a primary word
variableness
parallage (Greek #3883)
transmutation (of phase or orbit), i.e. (figuratively) fickleness
KJV usage: variableness.
Pronounce: par-al-lag-ay'
Origin: from a compound of 3844 and 236
, neither
e (Greek #2228)
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
KJV usage: and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially 2235, 2260, 2273.
Pronounce: ay
Origin: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms
shadow
aposkiasma (Greek #644)
a shading off, i.e. obscuration
KJV usage: shadow.
Pronounce: ap-os-kee'-as-mah
Origin: from a compound of 575 and a derivative of 4639
of turning
trope (Greek #5157)
a turn ("trope"), i.e. revolution (figuratively, variation)
KJV usage: turning.
Pronounce: trop-ay'
Origin: from an apparently primary τρέπω to turn
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d
John 3:27• 27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing unless it have been given him from heaven. (John 3:27)
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1 Cor. 4:7• 7For who distinguisheth thee? and what hast thou which thou didst not receive? But if thou didst even receive, why boastest thou as not having received? (1 Cor. 4:7)
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1 Sam. 15:29• 29And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. (1 Sam. 15:29)
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Mal. 3:6• 6For I am Jehovah, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Mal. 3:6)

More on:

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Father,
Gifts,
Perfect

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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good.
James 1:5• 5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all freely and reproacheth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)
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James 3:15,17• 15This wisdom is not descending from above, but earthly, natural, demoniacal.
 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, uncontentious, impartial. (James 3:15,17)
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Gen. 41:16,38‑39• 16And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
 38And Pharaoh said to his servants, shall we find [one] as this, a man in whom the Spirit of God [is]?
 39And Pharaoh said to Joseph, since God has made all this known to thee, there is none discreet and wise as thou. (Gen. 41:16,38‑39)
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Ex. 4:11‑12• 11And Jehovah said to him, Who gave man a mouth? or who maketh dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? have not I, Jehovah?
 12And now go, and I will be with thy mouth, and will teach thee what thou shalt say. (Ex. 4:11‑12)
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Ex. 31:3‑6• 3and have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in every work,
 4to devise artistic work—to work in gold, and in silver, and in copper,
 5and in cutting of stones, for setting, and for carving of timber—to work in all manner of work.
 6And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of every one that is wise-hearted have I given wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee— (Ex. 31:3‑6)
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Ex. 36:1‑2• 1Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every man that was wise-hearted, in whom Jehovah had put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work of the service of the sanctuary—according to all that Jehovah had commanded.
 2And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every man that was wise-hearted, in whose heart God had put wisdom, every one whose heart moved him to come to the work to do it. (Ex. 36:1‑2)
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Num. 11:17,25• 17And I will come down and talk with thee there; and I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, and thou shalt not bear it alone.
 25And Jehovah came down in a cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and put it upon the seventy men, the elders; and it came to pass, that when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not repeat it. (Num. 11:17,25)
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1 Chron. 22:12• 12Only, Jehovah give thee wisdom and understanding, and place thee over Israel, and to keep the law of Jehovah thy God. (1 Chron. 22:12)
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1 Chron. 29:19• 19and give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision. (1 Chron. 29:19)
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2 Chron. 1:11‑12• 11And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
 12wisdom and knowledge are granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. (2 Chron. 1:11‑12)
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Prov. 2:6• 6For Jehovah giveth wisdom;{HR}Out of his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Prov. 2:6)
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Isa. 28:26• 26His God doth instruct him in judgment, he doth teach him. (Isa. 28:26)
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Dan. 2:21‑22,27‑30• 21And it is he that changeth the times and seasons; He removeth kings and setteth up kings, He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.
 22It is he that revealeth the deep and secret things; He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
 27Daniel answered in the presence of the king and said, The secret that the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers, show unto the king;
 28but there is a God in heaven, that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed are these:
 29as for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind, upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter; and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
 30As for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have, more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. (Dan. 2:21‑22,27‑30)
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Matt. 7:11• 11If therefore ye, being wicked, know to give good gifts to your children, how much rather shall your Father that is in the heavens give good things to those that ask him? (Matt. 7:11)
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Matt. 11:25‑26• 25At that time, Jesus answering said, I praise thee, Father, Lord of the heaven and of the earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes.
 26Yea, Father, for thus has it been well-pleasing in thy sight. (Matt. 11:25‑26)
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Matt. 13:11‑12• 11And he answering said to them, Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, but to them it is not given;
 12for whoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall be caused to be in abundance; but he who has not, even what he has shall be taken away from him. (Matt. 13:11‑12)
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Luke 11:13• 13If, therefore, ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more will the Father who [is] of heaven give [the] Holy Spirit to them that ask him. (Luke 11:13)
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John 3:27• 27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing unless it have been given him from heaven. (John 3:27)
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Acts 5:31• 31him God exalted with his right hand as Leader and Saviour to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins. (Acts 5:31)
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Acts 11:18• 18And when they heard these things, they were still and glorified God, saying, Then indeed also to the Gentiles did God give repentance unto life. (Acts 11:18)
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Rom. 6:23• 23For the wages of sin [is] death, but the free gift of God life eternal in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23)
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Rom. 11:30• 30For as ye once were disobedient to God but now have been shown mercy through their disobedience, (Rom. 11:30)
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Rom. 12:6‑8• 6But having gifts different according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;
 7or service, [let us be occupied] in service; or he that teacheth, in teaching;
 8or he that exhorteth, in exhortation; he that bestoweth, with simplicity; he that presideth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Rom. 12:6‑8)
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1 Cor. 4:7• 7For who distinguisheth thee? and what hast thou which thou didst not receive? But if thou didst even receive, why boastest thou as not having received? (1 Cor. 4:7)
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1 Cor. 12:4‑12• 4Now there are differences of gifts, but the same Spirit,
 5and there are differences of services, and the same Lord,
 6and there are differences of operations, but the same God that operateth all things in all.
 7But to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for profit.
 8For to one, through the Spirit, is given [the] word of wisdom, and to another [the] word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
 9to a different one faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
 10and to another operations of powers, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits; to a different one kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues.
 11But all these things operateth the one and the same Spirit, dividing in particular to each as he pleaseth.
 12For even as the body is one and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. (1 Cor. 12:4‑12)
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Eph. 2:3‑5,8• 3among whom we all also had our conversation once in the lusts of our flesh, doing the wishes of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were children, by nature, of wrath even as the rest;
 4but God, being rich in mercy, on account of his great love wherewith he loved us,
 5even us being dead in our offences he quickened with the Christ (by grace are ye saved),
 8For by grace ye are saved through faith; and this not of yourselves(God's is the gift: (Eph. 2:3‑5,8)
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Eph. 4:8‑11• 8Wherefore he saith, Having ascended on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men.
 9Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower [parts] of the earth?
 10He that descended, he it is also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
 11And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (Eph. 4:8‑11)
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Phil. 1:29• 29because to you has been given on behalf of Christ, not only the believing on him, but also the suffering for him; (Phil. 1:29)
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Titus 3:3‑5• 3For at one time even we were foolish, disobedient, gone astray, in slavery to divers lusts and pleasures, passing time in malice and envy, abominable, hating one another.
 4But when the kindness and the love to man of our Saviour God appeared,
 5not by works in righteousness which we ourselves did, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:3‑5)
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1 John 4:10• 10Herein is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us, and sent his Son [as] propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)
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1 John 5:11‑12• 11And this is the witness that God gave to us life eternal, and this life is in his Son.
 12He that hath the Son hath life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:11‑12)
from the.
Gen. 1:2‑5,14‑15• 2And the earth was waste and empty, and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God [was] brooding upon the face of the waters.
 3And God said, Light be: and light was.
 4And God saw the light that [it was] good; and God divided between the light and the darkness.
 5And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening, and there was morning, one day.
 14And God said, Let there be light-bearers in [the] expanse of the heavens to divide between the day and between the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;
 15and let them be for light-bearers in [the] expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth. And it was so. (Gen. 1:2‑5,14‑15)
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Deut. 4:19• 19and lest thou lift up thine eyes to the heavens, and see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, the whole host of heaven, and be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, which Jehovah thy God hath assigned unto all peoples under the whole heaven. (Deut. 4:19)
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Psa. 19:1‑8• 1To the chief musician; a Psalm of David.{HR}The heavens [are] telling the glory of God,{HR}And the expanse [is] showing the work of his hands.
 2Day unto day uttereth speech,{HR}And night unto night showeth knowledge.
 3[There is] no speech and [there are] no words;{HR}Their voice is not heard.
 4In all the earth their line has gone forth,{HR}And their speech unto the end of the world;{HR}In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun;
 5And it [is] as a bridegroom going forth from his bridal chamber;{HR}It rejoiceth as a mighty man to run a course.
 6From the end of the heavens [is] its going forth,{HR}And its circuit unto their ends,{HR}And nothing is hidden from its heat.
 7The law of Jehovah [is] perfect, restoring the soul;{HR}The testimony of Jehovah [is] true, making wise the simple.
 8The precepts of Jehovah [are] right, rejoicing the heart;{HR}The commandment of Jehovah [is] clear, enlightening the eyes. (Psa. 19:1‑8)
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Psa. 84:11• 11For a sun and a shield [is] Jehovah God;{HR}Grace and glory will Jehovah give,{HR}No good thing will he withhold from those that walk uprightly. (Psa. 84:11)
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Isa. 45:7• 7forming the light, and creating darkness; making peace, and creating evil: I Jehovah do all these [things]. (Isa. 45:7)
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Isa. 60:19• 19The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but Jehovah shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. (Isa. 60:19)
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John 1:9• 9The true light was that which, coming into the world ., lighteth every man (John 1:9)
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John 8:12• 12Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall in no wise walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
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2 Cor. 4:6• 6because it is the God that bade light shine out of darkness, who shone in our hearts for the illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 4:6)
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Eph. 1:18• 18having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling; and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; (Eph. 1:18)
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1 John 1:5• 5And this is the message which we have heard from him, and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
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Rev. 21:23• 23And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon, that they should shine on it: for the glory of God illumined it, and the Lamb is the lamp of it. (Rev. 21:23)
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Rev. 22:5• 5And there shall be no night [there] and no need of lamp and sunlight; for the Lord God will illumine them: and they shall reign unto the ages of the ages. (Rev. 22:5)
no variableness.
Num. 23:19• 19Elohim is not a man, that he should lie;{HR}Neither the son of man, that he should repent:{HR}Hath he said, and shall he not do it?{HR}Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Num. 23:19)
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1 Sam. 15:29• 29And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. (1 Sam. 15:29)
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Psa. 122:6• 6Pray for Jerusalem's peace:{HR}May they prosper that love thee. (Psa. 122:6)
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Isa. 46:10• 10declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure, (Isa. 46:10)
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Mal. 3:6• 6For I am Jehovah, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Mal. 3:6)
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Rom. 11:29• 29for indefeasible are [the] gifts and the calling of God. (Rom. 11:29)
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Heb. 1:11‑12• 11They shall perish, but thou continuest; and they all shall grow old as a garment,
 12and as a covering thou shalt roll them up, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. (Heb. 1:11‑12)
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Heb. 13:8• 8Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday and today, and unto the ages. (Heb. 13:8)
• All that is good, both in the manner of giving as well as the thing given, comes from God. (“The Practical Christian Life: James 1” by H. Smith)
• He also is the source of all spiritual light. No darkness comes from Him. He is not only good and pure light, but all goodness and all light come from Him, and with Him there is no variation nor shadow of turning. With our changing circumstances or our varying moods He does not change. (“The Practical Christian Life: James 1” by H. Smith)
• What we really know we know as the result of divine revelation, and He is the “Father” or “Source” of all such light. Man’s lights are very uncertain. The light of “science” so-called is very variable. It burns brightly, it dies down, it re-appears, it flares up, it goes out, finally extinguished by an oncoming generation which feels sure it knows more than the outgoing generation. With the Father of lights, and hence with all light that really comes from Him, there is no variableness neither shadow of turning. (“James 1” by F.B. Hole)

J. N. Darby Translation

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17
Every good giftb and every perfect giftb comes downc from above, from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation nor shadow of turning.

JND Translation Notes

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b
Dosis, then dorema; the words are nearly the same. strictly dosis is "the giving," dorema "the thing freely given." In English "gift" is both the giving and the thing given.
c
Lit. "is coming down"; its true character. see ch. 3.16.

W. Kelly Translation

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17
Every good givinga and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation nor shadow of turning.

WK Translation Notes

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a
The Revisers make no notice beyond the KJV use of the word "gift." Now we all know that the first of the two references (dosis agathē), though properly expressive of the act of giving may be and often is used for a gift or present; but is it conceivable that we should have the two terms (dōrēma teleion) without a distinction, other than brought together and differently qualified? Ought we not to allow that "every good giving" is here distinguished from "every perfect gift?" The character of the act good, the result in the thing given perfect, the Father of lights is the source, in contrast with evil in act and result flowing from self.