James 3
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly 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.
For we all go wrong in a number of things. If a man never makes a slip in his talk, then he is a complete man and able to keep all his body in control.
3 Now if we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we guide their whole body.
Now if we put bits of iron into horses' mouths so that they may be guided by us, we have complete control of their bodies.
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.
And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds, are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is using it.
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 small part of the body, but it takes credit for great things. How much wood may be lighted by a very little fire!
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; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its 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 sort of beast and bird and every living thing on earth and in the sea has been controlled by man and is under his authority;
8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.
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 give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image.
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 comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not right for these things to be so.
11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Nor is salt water able to produce sweet.
Is a fig-tree able to give us olives, my brothers, or do we get figs from a vine, or sweet water from the salt sea?
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 has wisdom and good sense among you? let him make his works clear by a life of gentle 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 envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
This wisdom is not from heaven, but is of the earth and the flesh and the Evil One.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
For where envy is, and the desire to get the better of others, there is no order, but every sort of evil-doing.
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 which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
And the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace for those who make peace.
