James 3
1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.
My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we who are such shall pass a stricter trial than others: for in many things we all offend;
2 For we all stumble in many things. If any man does not stumble in word, this is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
and if any offend not in word, he is a compleat man, able to manage also the whole body.
3 Behold we put bits into the mouths of horses for them to obey us, and we guide about their whole body.
Behold we put bridles into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body as we please.
4 Behold also the ships, being so great and driven by fierce winds, are guided about by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse of the man who steers determines.
Behold also the ships which are of so great bulk, and even when they are driven by hard winds, yet are turned about by a very small helm which way soever the pilot pleaseth.
5 So also the tongue is a little body-part, and boasts greatly. Behold a little fire, how much wood it kindles.
So the tongue is a small part of the body, yet boasteth great things. Behold how much fuel a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, the world of unrighteousness. Thus, the tongue is made to lead among our body-parts, defiling the whole body, and setting the cycle of nature on fire, and being set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our several parts, defiling the whole body, inflaming the course of nature, and is set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 For every species, both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human species.
For every kind of wild beasts, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, is tamed and hath been tamed by mankind:
8 But no man is able to tame the tongue of men, an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 By it we bless the God and Father, and by it we curse men, who were made according to a likeness of God.
With it we bless God even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God:
10 Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and curse. My brothers, these things ought not to happen this way.
out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not so to be.
11 Does the spring pour out from the same opening the sweet and the bitter?
Does a fountain from the same opening send forth sweet water and bitter?
12 A fig tree, my brothers, cannot make olives, or a grapevine figs. In the same way, no one spring makes water salty and sweet.
Can a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine figs? so can no fountain produce salt water and sweet.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show from his good behavior his works in meekness of wisdom.
Is there any wise and understanding man among you? let him shew his works by a good conversation in the meekness of wisdom:
14 But if ye have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast, and do not lie against the truth.
but if ye have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth;
15 This wisdom is not descending from above, but is earthly, world-soul, demonic.
this is not the wisdom, that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and diabolical:
16 For where envy and selfish ambition are, there is instability and every evil deed.
for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom from above is indeed first pure, then peaceful, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and non-hypocritical.
But the wisdom that is from above first is pure, then peaceable, mild, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to those who make peace.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those that promote peace.
