James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my friends, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly than others.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 We often make mistakes, every one of us. Anyone who does not make mistakes when speaking is indeed a perfect person, able to bridle their whole body as well.
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
3 When we put bits into horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we change their course the rest of their bodies.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
4 Again, think of ships. Large as they are, and even when driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder and steered in whatever direction the man at the helm may determine.
Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
5 So is it with the tongue. Small as it is, it is a great boaster. Think how a tiny spark may set the largest forest ablaze!
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
6 And the tongue is like a spark. It is a world of unrighteousness among the parts of our body. It contaminates the whole body; it sets the whole course of our existence on fire, and is itself set on fire by the flames of Gehenna. (Geenna g1067)
The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 For while all kinds of animals, birds and reptiles and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed by humans,
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
8 no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless plague! It is charged with deadly poison!
but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made ‘in God’s likeness.’
With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 From the very same mouth come blessings and curses! My friends, it is not right that this should be so.
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
11 Does a spring give both good and bad water from the same source?
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 Can a fig tree, my friends, bear olives? Or a vine bear figs? No, nor can a brackish well give good water.
My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13 Who among you claims to be wise and intelligent? They should show that their actions are the outcome of a good life lived in the humility of true wisdom.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and a spirit of rivalry in your hearts, do not boast or deny the truth.
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
15 That is not the wisdom which comes from above; no, it is earthly, animalistic, demonic.
Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where envy and rivalry exist, there you will also find disorder and all kinds of bad, worthless actions.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is, before everything else, pure; then peace-loving, gentle, open to conviction, rich in compassion and good deeds, and free from partiality and insincerity.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
18 Justice is the harvest peacemakers will reap from seeds sown in a spirit of peace.
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
