The Wisdom from Above

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.(A) 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth.(B) 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.(C) 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.(D) 18 And the fruit of righteousness(E) is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

Read full chapter

The Wisdom That Comes Down from Above

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his[a] good behavior his works, with the humility of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, obedient, full of mercy and good fruits, nonjudgmental, without hypocrisy, 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among[b] those who make peace.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. James 3:13 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  2. James 3:18 Or “for”; or possibly “by”

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it(A) by their good life, by deeds(B) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition(C) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.(D) 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven(E) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.(F) 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition,(G) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(H) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(I) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(J) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(K) 18 Peacemakers(L) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(M)

Read full chapter