James 3:13-4:12

New International Version

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it^(A) by their good life, by deeds^(B) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^(C) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^{(D) 15} Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^(E) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(F) 16} For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(G) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven^(H) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,^(I) considerate, submissive, full of mercy^(J) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.^{(K) 18} Peacemakers^(L) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.^(M)

Submit Yourselves to God

4 What causes fights and quarrels^(N) among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle^(O) within you? ² You desire but do not have, so you kill.^(P) You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive,^(Q) because you ask with wrong motives,^(R) that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

⁴ You adulterous^(S) people,^[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world^(T) means enmity against God?^(U) Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.^{(V) 5} Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us^[b]?^{(W) 6} But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,^(Y) and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you.^(Z) Wash your hands,^(AA) you sinners, and purify your hearts,^(AB) you double-minded.^{(AC) 9} Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.^{(AD) 10} Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.^(AE)

¹¹ Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.^(AF) Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister^[d] or judges them^(AG) speaks against the law^(AH) and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,^(AI) but sitting in judgment on it. ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge,^(AJ) the one who is able to save and destroy.^(AK) But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?^(AL)