James 3
1 Do not become many teachers, my brothers, because you know well that we teachers shall be judged by a severer standard than others.
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
2 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.
For in many things we all stumble. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.
3 When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we control their whole body also.
Now if we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we guide their whole body.
4 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.
And look at the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
5 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!
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest.
6 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)
And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gihana. (Geenna g1067)
7 For while every kind of beast and bird, and of reptiles and sea- creatures are tamable, and actually have been tamed by mankind,
For all kinds of animals, and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, are being tamed and have been tamed by humankind.
8 no man can tame the tongue, restless evil that it is, full of deadly poison.
But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we continually bless our Lord and Father, and with it we are accustomed to curse men made in the image of God.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the image of God.
10 From out of the same mouth pour forth blessings and cursings! My brothers, this ought not to be so.
Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?
Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives; or a grape-vine, figs? No more can salt water yield fresh water.
Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Nor is salt water able to produce sweet.
13 Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him show his deeds by his good life, in the meekness of wisdom.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, do not be boasting of that, and be false to the truth.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and do not lie against the truth.
15 Such wisdom is not that which is descending from on high, but is earthly, sensual, demonlike.
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
16 For wherever jealousy and faction exist, there is confusion and every evil deed.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17 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.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is being sown in peace by those who are working peace.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
