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 man offendeth not in word, the same [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 in the mouths of horses, 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 though they are so great, and [are] driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor willeth.
5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
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, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from 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, and of serpents, and of animals in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:
8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, 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 this we bless God, even the Father; and with this we curse men, who are made after the similitude 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 proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place 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 olive-berries? or a vine, figs? so no fountain [can] yield both 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] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by a good deportment his works with 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 ye 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 descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, demoniacal.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion 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, [and] 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 the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace.
