James 3
1 Be ye not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment.
Do not become many teachers, my brothers, because you know well that we teachers shall be judged by a severer standard than others.
2 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.
For in many respects we often stumble. If any man never stumbles in speech, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 But if we put bridles into the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us; and we manage their whole body;
When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we control their whole body also.
4 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;
Look at the ships too, though they are so large, even when driven by fierce winds they are turned by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse of the helmsman wills.
5 so also the tongue is a little member, and it boasts great things. Behold, how great a wood a little fire kindles!
So also the tongue is a small member and makes great boasts. Behold, how great a forest is set on fire by a little spark!
6 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)
And the tongue is a fire; it is a very world of iniquity among our members, defiling the whole body, and setting on fire the wheel of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 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:
For while every kind of beast and bird, and of reptiles and sea- creatures are tamable, and actually have been tamed by mankind,
8 but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; an incorrigible evil, full of deadly poison.
no man can tame the tongue, restless evil that it is, full of deadly poison.
9 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:
With it we continually bless our Lord and Father, and with it we are accustomed to curse men made in the image of God.
10 out of the same mouth come forth blessing and scolding. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
From out of the same mouth pour forth blessings and cursings! My brothers, this ought not to be so.
11 Whether does the fountain out of the same chink send forth sweet water and bitter?
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?
12 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.
Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives; or a grape-vine, figs? No more can salt water yield fresh water.
13 Who is wise and instructed among you? Let him show forth out of beautiful conduct his works in meekness of wisdom.
Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him show his deeds by his good life, in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envy and strife in your heart, do not boast, and lie against the truth.
But if you have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, do not be boasting of that, and be false to the truth.
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but it is earthly, intellectual, and demoniacal.
Such wisdom is not that which is descending from on high, but is earthly, sensual, demonlike.
16 For where there are envy and strife, there are contention and every evil work.
For wherever jealousy and faction exist, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17 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.
But the wisdom which comes from on high is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, conciliatory, overflowing with mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without insincerity.
18 But the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to those who are making peace.
And the fruit of righteousness is being sown in peace by those who are working peace.
