James 3:13-4:5

New King James Version

Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom

^13 (A)Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have ^(B)bitter envy and ^[a]self-seeking in your hearts, ^(C)do not boast and lie against the truth. ^15 (D)This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For ^(E)where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But ^(F)the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, ^(G)without partiality ^(H)and without hypocrisy. ^18 (I)Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Pride Promotes Strife

4 Where do ^[b]wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure ^(J)that war in your members? ² You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and ^[c]war. ^[d]Yet you do not have because you do not ask. ^3 (K)You ask and do not receive, ^(L)because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. ^4 [e]Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that ^(M)friendship with the world is enmity with God? ^(N)Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ^(O)“The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?