James 3
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 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.
For in many things we all offend. If any one offends not in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Now if we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we guide their whole body.
Behold, we put bits into horses mouths that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.
4 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.
Behold also the ships, which are very great, and are driven by violent winds; yet they are turned about by a very small helm, to whatever point the will of him that directs it may determine.
5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest.
So, also, the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest does a little fire set in a blaze.
6 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 hell. (Geenna g1067)
And the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity. So is the tongue placed among our members, defiling the whole body, setting on fire the course of life, and being set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 For all kinds of animals, and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, are being tamed and have been tamed by humankind.
For every kind of beasts and of birds, of creeping things and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by man:
8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
but the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil; it is full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the image of God.
With it we bless God, even the Father: and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not so to be.
11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Does a fountain send forth from the same cavern sweet water and bitter?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Nor is salt water able to produce sweet.
Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olives, or the vine, figs? So no fountain can produce salt water and fresh.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
Who is wise and discreet among you? Let him show, by a good behavior, his works, with the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and do not lie against the truth.
But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
This wisdom comes not from above, but is earthly, animal, demoniac.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
For where envy and strife are, there is commotion, and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
And those who cultivate peace, sow for themselves a harvest of righteousness in peace.
