James 3:14

But if you are very [MET] jealous/unhappy when you see that someone else is succeeding, and always want to have what you want, regardless of what others want, you should not say that you are wise, for by boasting like that, you are saying that ◄ God’s message/what God says about you► is not true.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

In Context

13If any of you thinks [RHQ] that you are wise and know a lot, you should always act in a good way to show people that your good actions are the result of your being truly wise. Being wise helps us to act gently toward others.

15Those who have such attitudes are not wise [MTY] in the way that God wants them to be. Instead, they are only thinking and acting like ◄ ungodly people/people who do not please God►. They think and act according to their own evil desires. They do what the demons want them to do (OR, they think and act as demons do).

Read all of James 3

Cross References

Genesis 37:11Joseph’s older brothers were furious/angry with him, but his father just kept thinking about what the dream meant.

2 Kings 10:16Jehu said to him, “Come with me, and you will see that I am very devoted to Yahweh.” So they rode together to Samaria.

Job 5:2Foolish people die because of being ◄resentful/very angry at someone►; people who are easily deceived are destroyed by their being jealous of others.

Proverbs 27:4It is cruel to be angry with others, and our being angry sometimes destroys others, but being jealous of someone is [RHQ] often more cruel than that.

Habakkuk 1:3◄Must I/I do not want to► continue seeing people doing what is unjust [RHQ]. Why do you not punish people who are doing what is wrong [RHQ]? I see people destroying things and acting violently. There is fighting and quarreling everywhere.

John 16:2They will not allow you to worship in ◄synagogues/ their meeting places►. In fact, there will be a time when anyone who kills you will think that he is serving God by doing that.

Matthew Henry on James 3:14-18

Properties of Wisdom. ( a. d. 61.) 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

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