James · Chapter 1 · Wisdom
James 1:19 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;"
KJV · King James Version
"Wherefore5620, my3450 beloved27 brethren80, let2077 every3956 man444 be2077 swift5036 to1519 hear191, slow1021 to1519 speak2980, slow1021 to1519 wrath3709:"
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses wherefore, brethren, wrath, while the WEB renders these as then, brothers, and, anger. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
James 1:19 in James 1
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is James 1:19 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of James 1. Read the full chapter →
- v.17 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.
- v.18 Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
- v.19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
- v.20 for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.
- v.21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Book background
About the Book of James
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- General epistle
- Author
- James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church
- Date written
- c. 45–50 AD (possibly the earliest NT book)
- Audience
- Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world
- Chapters
- 5
James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. It tests genuine faith by visible works ("faith without works is dead" — 2:17), warns about the tongue, demands care for the poor, urges patience in trials, and insists on real-world holiness.
Setting: Written from Jerusalem in the church's earliest decade.
Key themes: wisdom · works · speech · patience · practical faith
Memorisation aid
How to memorise James 1:19
James 1:19 contains 19 words in 6 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
So
S
- 2
then
T
- 3
my beloved brothers
MBB
- 4
let every man be swift to hear
LEMBST
- 5
slow to speak
STS
- 6
and slow to anger;
ASTA
Frequently asked
FAQ about James 1:19
What does James 1:19 say?
James 1:19 reads: "So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;" — from the New Testament, James (General epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is James 1:19 in?
James 1:19 is in the book of James, traditionally attributed to James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church and written around c. 45–50 AD (possibly the earliest NT book). James is general epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world. Best known for "faith without works is dead".
What is James 1:19 about?
James 1:19 is primarily a Bible verse about Wisdom. Within James, James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between James 1:19 in WEB and KJV?
James 1:19 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Wherefore5620, my3450 beloved27 brethren80, let2077 every3956 man444 be2077 swift5036 to1519 hear191, slow1021 to1519 speak2980, slow1021 to1519 wrath3709:". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is James 1:19?
James 1:19 is 19 words in the WEB translation (96 characters), broken into 6 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 6 seconds.
How can I memorise James 1:19?
To memorise James 1:19, split it into its 6 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does James 1:19 matter in James?
James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. It tests genuine faith by visible works ("faith without works is dead" — 2:17), warns about the tongue, demands care for the poor, urges patience in trials, and insists on real-world holiness. James 1:19 sits within this larger story — James as a whole emphasises wisdom, works, speech.
How can I apply James 1:19 today?
Many readers use James 1:19 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download James 1:19 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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Psalms 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.”
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Ecclesiastes 3:1
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:”
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Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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1 Samuel 16:7
“But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man look…”
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Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
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Romans 12:2
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will…”
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-
James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”
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Psalms 1:1
“Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;”
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Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”
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-
Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.”
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More featured verses in James 1
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James 1:2
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,”
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James 1:3
“knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
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James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”
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James 1:12
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.”
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More featured verses in James
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James 5:14-15
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the pra…”
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James 5:16
“Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.”
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James 4:8
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
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