James 3
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
I do not want many of you, my Brothers, to become teachers, knowing, as you do, that we who teach shall be judged by a more severe standard than others.
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.
We often make mistakes, every one of us. Any one who does not make mistakes when speaking is indeed a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body as well.
3 Now if we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we guide their whole body.
When we put bits into horses’ mouths, to make them obey us, we control the rest of their bodies so.
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.
Again, think of ships. Large as they are, and even when driven by fierce winds, they are controlled by a very small rudder and steered in whatever direction the man at the helm 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 is it with the tongue. Small as it is, it is a great boaster. Think how tiny a spark may set the largest forest ablaze!
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 like a spark. Among the members of our body it proves itself a very world of mischief; it contaminates the whole body; it sets the wheels of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by the flames of the Pit. (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 while all sorts of beasts and birds, and of reptiles and creatures in the sea, are tameable, and actually have been tamed by man,
8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless plague! It is charged with 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 our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made ‘in God’s likeness.’
10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
From the very same mouth come blessings and curses! My Brothers, it is not right that this should be so.
11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Does a spring give both good and bad water from the same source?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Nor is salt water able to produce sweet.
Can a fig tree, my Brothers, bear olives? or a vine bear figs? No, nor can a brackish well give good water.
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 among you claims to be wise and intelligent? Let him show that his actions are the outcome of a good life lived in the humility of true 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, while you harbour envy and bitterness and a spirit of rivalry in your hearts, do not boast or lie to the detriment of the Truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
That is not the wisdom which comes from above; no, it is earthly, animal, devilish.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
For, where envy and rivalry exist, there you will also find disorder and all kinds of base actions.
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 from above is, before every thing else, pure; then peace-loving, gentle, open to conviction, rich in compassion and good deeds, and free from partiality and insincerity.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
And righteousness, its fruit, is sown in peace by those who work for peace.
