^35 (A)Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.

^17 (A)For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, ^(B)blind, and naked.

⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he ^(A)is blind, having forgotten that he was ^(B)cleansed from his former sins.

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.

¹⁹ For it is written,

^20 (B)Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? ^(C)Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach^[a] to save those who believe.

^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.”

^22 (A)Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

¹⁸ For, ^(A)speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely ^(B)escaping from those who live in error.