James 3
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment.
2 For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who does not stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.
For in many things we all offend. If any man stumble not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, wherever the pilot willeth.
5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna (Geenna g1067).
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of creatures in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:
8 but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.
With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? or a vine, figs? so no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by a good behaviour his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and do not lie against the truth.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
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 peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace.
