For if there come into your congregation a man with a gold ring, and in splendid apparel, and there come in also a poor man in a sordid garb;

For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].

Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grape vine figs? A salt spring cannot give fresh water.

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.

[People who are] peacemakers sow [seeds of] peace and it produces a crop of righteousness [in the lives of others].

Be patient therefore, brethren, until the Coming of the Lord. Notice how eagerly a farmer waits for a valuable crop! He is patient over it till it has received the early and the later rain.

Then he prayed again and the sky poured rain and the ground produced its crop.