James 3
1 MY brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive a severer judgment.
Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly than others.
2 For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, he is a perfect man, and capable of reining in the whole body.
For we all go wrong in a number of things. If a man never makes a slip in his talk, then he is a complete man and able to keep all his body in control.
3 Behold, we put bits into the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.
Now if we put bits of iron into horses' mouths so that they may be guided by us, we have complete control of their bodies.
4 Behold also the ships, though so great, and driven by tempestuous winds, are turned about by the smallest rudder, whithersoever the inclination of the pilot pleaseth.
And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds, are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is using it.
5 So also the tongue is a little member, and proudly vaunts. Behold how great a pile of wood, a little fire kindleth!
Even so the tongue is a small part of the body, but it takes credit for great things. How much wood may be lighted by a very little fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: in such manner is the tongue placed among our members, that it defileth all the body, and setteth on fire the circle of nature; and is set on fire of hell. (Geenna g1067)
And the tongue is a fire; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its fire from hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 For every species of wild beasts, and also of birds, of reptiles, and even of fishes, is tamed, and hath also been tamed by human ingenuity:
For every sort of beast and bird and every living thing on earth and in the sea has been controlled by man and is under his authority;
8 but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.
9 With it we bless God even the Farther; and with the same we curse men, though after the likeness of God.
With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image.
10 Out of the same mouth goeth forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be thus.
Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not right for these things to be so.
11 Doth a fountain from the same aperture spout forth sweet water and bitter?
Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water?
12 Can a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives; or a vine figs? so also can no fountain send forth salt water and sweet.
Is a fig-tree able to give us olives, my brothers, or do we get figs from a vine, or sweet water from the salt sea?
13 Who is a wise man and intelligent among you, let him shew in a becoming conduct his works with the meekness of wisdom.
Who has wisdom and good sense among you? let him make his works clear by a life of gentle wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envy and contention in your heart, boast not, and lie not against the truth.
But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true.
15 This is not the wisdom which cometh from above, but is earthly, sensual, diabolical.
This wisdom is not from heaven, but is of the earth and the flesh and the Evil One.
16 For where envy and contention dwell, there is tumult and every vile deed.
For where envy is, and the desire to get the better of others, there is no order, but every sort of evil-doing.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, meek, easily persuadable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and void of dissimulation.
But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is.
18 But the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for those who are peacemakers.
And the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace for those who make peace.
