²³ But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.^(A)

³¹ The one who comes from above^(A) is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.^(B) The one who comes from heaven is above all.

On Not Loving the World

¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world.^(A) If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[a] is not in them.^{(B) 16} For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh,^(C) the lust of the eyes,^(D) and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

⁵ They are from the world^(A) and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.^(B) This is how we recognize the Spirit^[a] of truth^(C) and the spirit of falsehood.^(D)

¹⁹ We know that we are children of God,^(A) and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.^{(B) 20} We know also that the Son of God has come^(C) and has given us understanding,^(D) so that we may know him who is true.^(E) And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.^(F)

⁴ You adulterous^(A) people,^[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world^(B) means enmity against God?^(C) Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.^(D)

¹⁵ Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^(A) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(B) 16} For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(C) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven^(D) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,^(E) considerate, submissive, full of mercy^(F) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.^(G)