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.

Warning Against Worldliness

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions[a] are (M)at war within you?[b] You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask (N)wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Footnotes

  1. James 4:1 Greek pleasures; also verse 3
  2. James 4:1 Greek in your members

Submit yourselves therefore to God. (A)Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (B)Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (C)Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and (D)purify your hearts, (E)you double-minded.

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