James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment.
2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
For we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body around.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
For so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body around.
4 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
Consider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might will.
5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
And so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from Hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature.
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!
11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
Does a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter water?
12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
My brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Who is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
But if you hold a bitter zeal, and if there is contention in your hearts, then do not boast and do not be liars against the truth.
15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolical.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
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.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace.
