³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

⁸ But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

² They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

³ Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

2 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.

Listening and Doing

¹⁹ Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”^[a] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,

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]

Drawing Close to God

4 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? ² You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

¹⁶ “Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.^[a]

“Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.

¹⁷ “Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives.^[b] Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.

¹⁸ “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.