²⁰ Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? ^(A)By his good conduct let him show his works ^(B)in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(C)jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not ^(D)the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, ^(E)demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But ^(F)the wisdom from above is first pure, then ^(G)peaceable, gentle, open to reason, ^(H)full of mercy and good fruits, ^(I)impartial and ^(J)sincere.

¹⁸ I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but ^(A)beasts.

³ among whom we all once lived in ^(A)the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body^[a] and the mind, and ^(B)were by nature ^(C)children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.^[b]

^18 (A)Let no one deceive himself. ^(B)If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For ^(C)the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, ^(D)“He catches the wise in their craftiness,” ²⁰ and again, ^(E)“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

^16 (A)Live in harmony with one another. ^(B)Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.^{[a] (C)}Never be wise in your own sight.