¹⁹ For ^(A)your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you ^(B)to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

Persecution Will Come

^16 (A)“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be ^(B)wise as serpents and ^(C)innocent as doves.

²⁰ Brothers, ^(A)do not be children in your thinking. ^(B)Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be ^(C)mature.

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 And ^(K)a harvest of righteousness ^(L)is sown in peace by those who make peace.

¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, ^(A)children of God ^(B)without blemish ^(C)in the midst of ^(D)a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine ^(E)as lights in the world,

Longing to Go to Rome

⁸ First, ^(A)I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, ^(B)because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

⁹ And it is my prayer that ^(A)your love may abound more and more, ^(B)with knowledge and all discernment,

¹⁶ Let ^(A)the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, ^(B)singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ^(C)with thankfulness in your hearts to God.