James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
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 stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his entire body as well.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
Behold, we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they will obey us, and we guide their entire bodies.
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.
Or take ships for example, though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot directs.
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.
In the same way, the tongue is a small member, yet it makes great boasts. Consider how great a forest a little fire kindles.
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. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of unrighteousness, staining the entire body, setting the course of life on fire, and itself being 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,
Every species of beast, bird, reptile, and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by man,
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly 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.
With it we bless God our Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this ought not to be so.
11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
Does a spring pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?
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 brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? In the same way, no spring can produce both salt water and 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 understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done with the gentleness that comes from 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 have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast or deny the truth.
15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above; rather, it is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
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, easily entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and unhypocritical.
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.
