^14 (A)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ^15 (B)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ^16 (C)Be of the same mind toward one another. ^(D)Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

^17 (E)Repay no one evil for evil. ^(F)Have^[a] regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, ^(G)live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, ^(H)do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ^(I)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but ^(K)overcome evil with good.

⁹ With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made ^(A)in the ^[a]similitude of God. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? ¹² Can a ^(B)fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? ^[b]Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom

^13 (C)Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have ^(D)bitter envy and ^[c]self-seeking in your hearts, ^(E)do not boast and lie against the truth. ^15 (F)This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For ^(G)where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But ^(H)the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, ^(I)without partiality ^(J)and without hypocrisy. ^18 (K)Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

²⁶ For what ^(A)profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or ^(B)what will a man give in exchange for his soul?