The Wisdom from Above

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

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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.

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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”