If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good
deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about them, then you
will be
truly wise! And by all means don't brag about being wise and
good if you are
bitter and jealous and selfish; that is the worst sort
of lie. For jealousy
and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom.
Such things are earthly,
unspiritual, inspired by the devil. For
wherever there is jealousy or selfish
ambition, there will be
disorder and every kind of evil.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full
of quiet
gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows
discussion and
is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and
good deeds. It is
wholehearted and straightforward and sincere.
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap
a harvest of
goodness.