James 3:17 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹⁷ But the [true] wisdom, which is from [God] above, is first of all pure, then peace-loving, patient and easily persuaded. [It is] full of mercy and produces a crop of good deeds; [it is] impartial [or, unwavering] and sincere.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.

Common English Bible

¹⁷ What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁷ But within the wisdom that is from above, certainly, chastity is first, and next peacefulness, meekness, openness, consenting to what is good, a plenitude of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without falseness.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹⁷ But the wisdom, that is from above, first indeed is chaste, then peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, without dissimulation.

James 3:17 Cross References

Matthew 23:28

Even so, you also appear on the outside to be doing right in front of people, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and sin.

Matthew 5:8

“Those persons whose hearts are pure [before God] are blessed because they will see God.

Matthew 5:9

“Those persons who attempt to make peace [between people] are blessed because they will be called God’s children.

Luke 21:15

for I will give you a mouth [i.e., the ability to speak properly] and wisdom [i.e., the knowledge of what to say], which none of your opponents will be able to resist or speak against.

Luke 6:36

You people should be merciful just like your Father is merciful.

John 1:14

[Eventually] this Word became a human being and lived among us [Note: The word “lived” here refers to pitching a temporary tent]. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father’s only Son), full of God’s favor and truth.

John 1:47

[As] Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward Him, He said [this] about him, “Look, [there is] a true Israelite, a completely honest man!”

Acts 11:24

[Now] Barnabas was a good man who was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith [in the Lord], and many people were added to the [church of the] Lord.

Acts 9:36

Now at Joppa [Note: This was also a town on the west coast of Palestine, today called “Jaffa,” and is now a part of Tel Aviv] there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (she was also called Dorcas, which means “Gazelle”). She practiced many good deeds and always gave money to poor people.

Romans 12:18

Do not take revenge on someone who has wronged you, but leave it up to God’s wrath [to take care of it], for it is written [Deut. 22:35], “The Lord says, I will pay people back [for doing wrong] because taking revenge belongs to me.”

Romans 12:9

Let [your] love be sincere. Hate whatever is evil. Cling to whatever is good.

Romans 15:14

And I, myself, am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, and have been filled with all kinds of knowledge and are capable of counseling one another.

1 Corinthians 12:8

For one person is given the [supernatural] message of wisdom through the Holy Spirit; another person is given the [supernatural] message of knowledge by means of the same Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 10:1

Now I Paul, who am humble [when speaking] face to face with you, but bold when I am away from you, urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ [Note: This means either Paul was imitating Christ’s behavior or that the Corinthians were to do so]:

2 Corinthians 6:6

[We have ministered] with purity, knowledge, patience and kindness. [We have done this] by [the power of] the Holy Spirit; out of genuine love;

2 Corinthians 7:11

See how the very fact that you were made sorry from a godly motive has produced earnestness in you! [It produced] a desire to vindicate yourselves [i.e., by making amends for your wrongdoing]; an attitude of just anger [i.e., toward the wrongdoers]; a sense of fear [i.e., a fear of God for doing wrong]; an eager desire [i.e., to do the right thing]; a zeal [i.e., to correct problems]; and an attitude of avenging [i.e., that punished the wrongdoer]. You demonstrated in everything [you did] that you were pure [i.e., innocent] in this matter. [Note: This whole description of their conduct appears to be a reference to the incident mentioned in 2:1- 11].

2 Corinthians 9:10

Now God, who provides seeds to the planter and bread for food, will [also] supply, and [even] multiply your seeds for planting, and will increase the harvest of your generosity.

Ephesians 5:9

(for the product of light consists of everything good and right and true).

Philippians 1:11

having been full of qualities of righteousness, which come from Jesus Christ and produce honor and praise to God.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, give [careful] thought to these things: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovable, and whatever is commendable. If it is excellent; if it is praiseworthy; [think about it].

Colossians 1:10

[We pray for you] to live a life deserving of the Lord, pleasing to Him in every way, producing fruit in every good deed and growing in the knowledge of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:7

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.

1 Timothy 5:21

I solemnly urge you, in the presence of God, and Christ Jesus and the elect [i.e., chosen] angels, that you obey these instructions without showing prejudice [toward anyone], or doing anything out of partiality.

2 Timothy 2:24

For the Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but be kind toward everyone, capable of teaching, [and] patient [with difficult people and situations].

Titus 1:15

Everything is pure [i.e., ceremonially acceptable] to the person who is pure [i.e., who has been cleansed by the blood of Christ], but to those who are [spiritually] corrupt, and do not believe [in Christ], nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted. [Note: This statement was intended to remove the physical restrictions imposed by the Law of Moses].

Titus 3:2

to slander no one, to be peaceful, to be considerate [or, “gentle”] and to show every courtesy to all people.

Hebrews 12:11

No discipline seems pleasant, but painful, at the time [it is received], yet later on it produces a crop of peace and righteousness in [the lives of] those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:14

Actively seek to live in peace with all people. And be dedicated to God, because no one will see God without this.

James 1:17

Every good [thing that is given] and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same].

James 1:5

But if any one of you lacks wisdom, he should pray to God, who gives to everyone generously and does not begrudge [the person who asks], and it will be given to him.

James 2:13

For the person who has shown no mercy will be judged without mercy. [For] mercy wins out over condemnation.

James 2:4

are you not making class distinctions among yourselves and judging [people] from evil motives?

James 3:15

This “wisdom” is not the kind that comes from [God] above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic [i.e., it is motivated by an evil spirit and not the Holy Spirit].

James 4:8

Come close to God and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinful people [i.e., this is an exhortation to repent of moral and spiritual corruption], and purify your hearts, you double-minded people.

1 Peter 1:22

[Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another.

1 Peter 2:1

Therefore, you should put out of your lives all malice [i.e., bad attitudes], and all deceit and hypocrisy, and all envy and unwholesome talk.

1 Peter 2:18

Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters and show them respect, not just the ones who are good [to you] and treat you well, but also to those who are harsh toward you.

1 John 3:18

Little children [i.e., dear ones], we should not [merely] claim to love [people], or [even just] talk about it, but [we should love] by what we do [for them] in a genuine way.

1 John 3:3

And every person who has set his hope on this [i.e., of being like Jesus], will live [as] purely [as possible], just as He [i.e., Jesus Himself] is pure.