James 3:13–4:10

Wisdom from Above

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? aLet him show by his bgood behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

14 But if you have bitter ajealousy and 1selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against bthe truth.

15 This wisdom is not that which comes down afrom above, but is bearthly, 1cnatural, ddemonic.

16 For where ajealousy and 1selfish ambition exist, 2there is disorder and every evil thing.

17 But the wisdom afrom above is first bpure, then cpeaceable, dgentle, 1reasonable, efull of mercy and good fruits, funwavering, without ghypocrisy.

18 And the 1aseed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace 2by those who make peace.

Chapter 4

Things to Avoid

1 1What is the source of quarrels and aconflicts among you? 2Is not the source your pleasures that wage bwar in your members?

2 You lust and do not have; so you acommit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

3 You ask and ado not receive, because you ask 1with wrong motives, so that you may spend it 2on your pleasures.

4 You aadulteresses, do you not know that friendship with bthe world is chostility toward God? dTherefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

5 Or do you think that the Scripture aspeaks to no purpose: “1He 2jealously desires bthe Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?

6 But aHe gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “bGod is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

7 aSubmit therefore to God. bResist the devil and he will flee from you.

8 aDraw near to God and He will draw near to you. bCleanse your hands, you sinners; and cpurify your hearts, you ddouble-minded.

9 aBe miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.

10 aHumble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.