James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…”

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

World English Bible

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

American Standard Version

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

Geneva Bible 1599

Euery good giuing, and euery perfect gift is from aboue, and commeth downe from the Father of lights, with whome is no variablenes, neither shadow of turning.

Darby Translation

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

Young's Literal Translation

every good giving, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom is no variation, or shadow of turning;

Bible in Basic English

Every good and true thing is given to us from heaven, coming from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change or any shade made by turning.

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Cross references

“good”

John 3:27 Matthew 7:11 Proverbs 2:6 James 3:17 Ephesians 2:8 Luke 11:13

John 3:27 · BSB

John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.

Matthew 7:11 · BSB

So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Proverbs 2:6 · BSB

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

James 3:17 · BSB

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

Ephesians 2:8 · BSB

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Luke 11:13 · BSB

So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

“from the”

John 8:12 Psalm 84:11 1 John 1:5 Genesis 1:2–5 John 1:9 Ephesians 1:18

John 8:12 · BSB

Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Psalm 84:11 · BSB

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.

1 John 1:5 · BSB

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

Genesis 1:2–5 · BSB

Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

John 1:9 · BSB

The true Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Ephesians 1:18 · BSB

I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

“no variableness”

Hebrews 13:8 Numbers 23:19 Malachi 3:6 1 Samuel 15:29 Psalm 122:6 Isaiah 46:10

Hebrews 13:8 · BSB

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Numbers 23:19 · BSB

God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Malachi 3:6 · BSB

“Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.

1 Samuel 15:29 · BSB

Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.”

Psalm 122:6 · BSB

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper.

Isaiah 46:10 · BSB

I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

Read James 1