James 3
1 Do not become many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive a severe sentence.
My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
2 For in many things we all offend. If any one offend not in the word, he is a perfect man, able to rule, also, the whole body.
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 Behold, we put bits into the mouths of horses, to make them obedient to us, and we turn about their whole body.
Consider, we put bits in horses' mouths for them to obey us, and we guide their whole body.
4 Behold, also, the ships, which, though they be so great, and are driven by fierce winds, are turned about by a very small helm, whithersoever the power of the pilot determines:
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 so, also, the tongue is a little member, yet it works mightily. Behold, how much wood a little fire kindles!
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 Now the tongue is a fire--a world of iniquity; the tongue is so placed among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets the wheel of nature in a blaze, and is set on fire from hell. (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 Now every species of wild beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of sea monsters, is subdued, and has been subdued by man:
Every kind of animal and bird, reptile and sea creature, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race,
8 but the tongue of men, no one can subdue; it is an unruly evil thing, full of deadly poison.
but no one among men is able to tame the tongue—an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
With it we bless God and Father, and with it we curse the people who have been made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth proceed a blessing and a curse! My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and curses. My brothers, these things should not be that way.
11 Does a fountain send forth, from the same opening, sweet water and bitter?
A spring does not send out sweet and bitter water from the same opening, does it?
12 Can a fig-tree, my brethren, produces olives; or a vine, figs? So, no fountain can yield salt water and fresh.
Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grape vine figs? Thus no spring yields salt water and sweet.
13 Is any one wise and intelligent among you? let him show, by good behavior, his works, with meekness of wisdom.
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 anger and strife in your heart, do you not boast and 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 is not the wisdom which comes from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish:
such ‘wisdom’ is not coming down from Above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 for where there is anger and strife, there is disorder, and every evil work.
Because where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is unruliness and every foul practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is, indeed, first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be persuaded, full of compassion and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
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 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, by them who practice peace.
Now the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace by those making peace.
