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Scripture · New Testament

James 4:17

James 4:17 is verse 17 of James chapter 4, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.

Berean Standard Bible

Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.

BSB source and public domain terms

King James Version

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

World English Bible

To him therefore who knows to do good and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.

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James 4:15–17 · Berean Standard Bible

15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

16 As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.

17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.

Read all of James 4

Greek words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Luke 12:47

That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.

Luke 12:48

But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

John 9:41

“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

John 13:17

If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 15:22

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.

Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

Romans 1:32

Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 2:17

Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;

Romans 2:18

if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;

Romans 2:19

if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness,

Romans 2:20

an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—

Romans 2:21

you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

Romans 2:22

You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

Romans 2:23

You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

Romans 7:13

Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Certainly not! But in order that sin might be exposed as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

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