< James 3 >
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
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 stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his entire body as well.
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 the mouths of horses so that they will obey us, and we guide their entire 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.
Or take ships for example, though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot directs.
5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest.
In the same way, the tongue is a small member, yet it makes great boasts. Consider how great a forest a little fire kindles.
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 )
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of unrighteousness, staining the entire body, setting the course of life on fire, and itself being set on fire by hell. (Geenna )
7 For all kinds of animals, and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, are being tamed and have been tamed by humankind.
Every species of beast, bird, reptile, and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by man,
8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
but no man can tame the tongue. 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 it we bless God our 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.
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Does a spring pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?
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, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? In the same way, no spring can produce both salt water and fresh 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 is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done with the gentleness that comes from 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 jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast or deny the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above; rather, it is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
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 first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and unhypocritical.
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 those who make peace.