James 1:23

21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,

24 and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,
KJV
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
WEB
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror;
ASV
For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:
DARBY
For if any man be a hearer of [the] word and not a doer, *he* is like to a man considering his natural face in a mirror:
BLB
because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror,
ÅB
For dersom en er ordets hører og ikke dets gjører, da ligner han en mann som ser på sitt naturlige åsyn i et speil:
OTB
Den som hører ordet men ikke gjør det, er som en som ser på sitt ansikt i et speil
B1930
For dersom en er ordets hører og ikke dets gjører, da ligner han en mann som ser på sitt naturlige åsyn i et speil:

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 7:26–27

    But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

    Read in context
  • James 2:14–26

    What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 33:31–32

    So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.

    Read in context
  • Luke 6:47

    I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them:

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 44:16

    “As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!

    Read in context