James 3
1 My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment.
Be ye not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment.
2 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.
For we all fail in many things; if any one fails not in word, the same is a perfect man, able even to bridle the whole body.
3 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.
But if we put bridles into the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us; and we manage their whole body;
4 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.
behold also the ships, being so great, and driven by fierce winds, are managed by the smallest rudder, whithersoever the will of the steersman prefers;
5 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.
so also the tongue is a little member, and it boasts great things. Behold, how great a wood a little fire kindles!
6 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)
The tongue, a fire, the world of iniquity: the tongue sits down in the midst of our members, and corrupting the whole body, and setting on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature.
For every nature both of wild beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of oceanic animals, is subdued, and has been subjugated to human nature:
8 But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; an incorrigible evil, full of deadly poison.
9 By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
With it we bless the Lord, even the Father; and with it we scold the people, who have been made after the image of God:
10 From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!
out of the same mouth come forth blessing and scolding. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Does a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter water?
Whether does the fountain out of the same chink send forth sweet water and bitter?
12 My brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh water.
My brethren, whether is the fig-tree able to produce olives, or the vine figs? Neither is the bitter fountain able to produce sweet water.
13 Who is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.
Who is wise and instructed among you? Let him show forth out of beautiful conduct his works in meekness of wisdom.
14 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.
But if you have bitter envy and strife in your heart, do not boast, and lie against the truth.
15 For this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolical.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but it is earthly, intellectual, and demoniacal.
16 For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work.
For where there are envy and strife, there are contention and every evil work.
17 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.
But the wisdom which is from above is indeed first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily persuaded, full of mercy and of good works, free from partiality and hypocrisy.
18 And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace.
But the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to those who are making peace.
