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 brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
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 in many things we all offend. If any one offend not in speech, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
For when we put the bits into the horses' mouths, that they may obey us, we turn about also their whole body.
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.
Behold also the ships, which, though they are so great, and driven by fierce winds, are yet turned about with a very small rudder, whithersoever the steersman chooseth.
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 is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire kindleth!
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 the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity! The tongue among our members is that which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of life, and is itself set on fire by 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 every kind of beasts and of birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed and hath been tamed by mankind;
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
but the tongue can no man tame; it is 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.
Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men, who have been made after the likeness of God;
10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
Doth a fountain from the same opening send forth sweet water and bitter?
12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Can a fig-tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a vine, figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.
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 endued with knowledge among you P let him show out of a good course of conduct his works in 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 ye have bitter rivalry and strife in your hearts, do not glory and lie against the truth.
15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
This wisdom is not that which descendeth from above, but earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
For where there is rivalry and strife, there is confusion and every evil 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 the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
