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 who are such shall pass a stricter trial than others: for in many things we all offend;
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.
and if any offend not in word, he is a compleat man, able to manage also 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 bridles into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body as we please.
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 of so great bulk, and even when they are driven by hard winds, yet are turned about by a very small helm which way soever the pilot pleaseth.
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 the tongue is a small part of the body, yet boasteth great things. Behold how much fuel 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 several parts, defiling the whole body, inflaming the course of nature, and is 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 wild beasts, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, 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 it we bless God even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made after 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 proceedeth 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 from the same opening send forth 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 a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine figs? so can no fountain produce salt water and sweet.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
Is there any wise and understanding man among you? let him shew his works by a good conversation in 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 ye have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against 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 cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and diabolical:
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 first is pure, then peaceable, mild, 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 for those that promote peace.
