James 3:13-4:12

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness.^{(A) 14} But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth.^{(B) 15} Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(C) 16} For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.^{(D) 18} And the fruit of righteousness^(E) is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

Proud or Humble

4 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings^(F) that are at war within you?^{[a] 2} You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.^(G)

⁴ Adulteresses!^[b][c] Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy.^{(H) 5} Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously?^[d](I)

⁶ But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says:

⁷ Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.^{(K) 8} Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!^{(L) 9} Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow.^{(M) 10} Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

¹¹ Don’t criticize one another, brothers. He who criticizes a brother or judges his brother criticizes the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.^{(N) 12} There is one lawgiver and judge^[f] who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?^(O)