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.

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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]

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Footnotes

  1. 3:18 Or of good things, or of justice.