James 3
1 My friends, not many of you should become teachers, because you know that we who teach will have a heavier responsibility in the judgment.
My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
2 All of us make mistakes in many ways. Anyone who doesn't make mistakes in what they say is truly a good person who can keep the whole body under control.
Because we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, being able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 We put bridles into the mouths of horses so that they'll obey us, and we can direct them wherever we want.
Consider, we put bits in horses' mouths for them to obey us, and we guide their whole body.
4 Look at ships as well: even though they're very big and are driven along by strong winds, they're steered by a very small rudder in the direction the pilot wants to go.
Consider also the ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the pilot may desire.
5 In just the same way the tongue is a very small part of the body, but it makes great boasts! Think how a big forest can be set on fire by a very small flame!
So also the tongue is a small member and boasts great things. Just look at how great a forest a little fire can kindle!
6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue is a world of evil among the parts of the body. It disgraces all you are as a person, and can burn down the whole of your life, since it is set on fire by Gehenna. (Geenna g1067)
And the tongue is a fire! The organization of wickedness, that is how the tongue is placed among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of life, itself being set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 People have tamed all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures,
Every kind of animal and bird, reptile and sea creature, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race,
8 but no one can tame the tongue—it's an evil thing, hard to control, full of deadly poison.
but no one among men is able to tame the tongue—an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.
9 We use the same tongue to bless our Lord and Father, as well as to curse people who are made in God's image—
With it we bless God and Father, and with it we curse the people who have been made in God's likeness.
10 blessings and curses come from the same mouth! Friends, it shouldn't be this way!
Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and curses. My brothers, these things should not be that way.
11 Does a spring send both sweet and bitter water out of the same opening?
A spring does not send out sweet and bitter water from the same opening, does it?
12 My friends, a fig tree can't produce olives, and a vine can't produce figs, any more than a salt water spring can produce fresh water!
Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grape vine figs? Thus no spring yields salt water and sweet.
13 Who among you has wisdom and understanding? Let their good lives demonstrate what they do—doing what is right with wise kindness and consideration.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him exhibit his works in the meekness of wisdom, by his good way of life.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast about it and don't lie against the truth.
But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth—
15 This kind of “wisdom” doesn't come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
such ‘wisdom’ is not coming down from Above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition you'll also find confusion and all kinds of evil practices.
Because where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is unruliness and every foul practice.
17 However, wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, and it also brings peace. It is kind and open to reason. It is full of mercy and produces good things. It is genuine and not hypocritical.
In contrast, the wisdom from Above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 Those who sow peace will harvest the peace of what is truly good and right.
Now the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace by those making peace.
