James 3
1 Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the 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 For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.
Behold, we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they will obey us, and we guide their entire bodies.
4 Behold also ships, whereas they are great, and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.
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 Even so the tongue is indeed a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.
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 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being 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 For every nature of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of the rest, is tamed, and hath been tamed, by the nature of man:
Every species of beast, bird, reptile, and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by man,
8 But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.
but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God.
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 proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this ought not to be so.
11 Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water?
Does a spring pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes; or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet.
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 a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew, by a good conversation, his work in the meekness of 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 have bitter zeal, and there be contentions in your hearts; glory not, and be not liars against the truth.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast or deny the truth.
15 For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above; rather, it is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
16 For where envying and contention is, there is inconstancy, and every evil work.
For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom, that is from above, first indeed is chaste, then peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, without dissimulation.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and unhypocritical.
18 And the fruit of justice is sown in peace, to them that make peace.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
