¹⁸ God ·decided [chose; willed] to give us ·life [birth] through the ·word of truth [true message] so we might be ·the most important [or the first of many; ^La kind of firstfruits; ^Cfirstfruits were the first crops to be harvested and guaranteed the coming harvest; Ex. 34:22; 2 Thess. 2:13; Rev. 14:4] of all ·the things he made [or his creatures].

Listening and Obeying

¹⁹ My ·dear [^Lbeloved] brothers and sisters [^Cfellow believers], [^Lunder-stand/know this:] ·always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily [^Lbe quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; Prov. 17:28], ²⁰ ·because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants [^Lbecause human anger does not produce God’s righteousness].