⁵ I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues?

¹⁴ I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.

³⁴ Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.

True Wisdom Comes from God

¹³ If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. ¹⁵ For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. ¹⁶ For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. ¹⁸ And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.^[a]

⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

¹⁴ Isn’t it obvious that it’s disgraceful for a man to have long hair?

¹⁰ Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.

¹⁸ Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.

¹⁵ During this time, when about 120 believers^[a] were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.