James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
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 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.
and if any offend not in word, he is a compleat man, able to manage also the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they will obey us, and we guide their entire bodies.
Behold we put bridles into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body as we please.
4 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.
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 In the same way, the tongue is a small member, yet it makes great boasts. Consider how great a forest a little fire kindles.
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 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 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 Every species of beast, bird, reptile, and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by man,
For every kind of wild beasts, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, is tamed and hath been tamed by mankind:
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly 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 God our Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in God's likeness.
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 come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this 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 pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?
Does a fountain from the same opening send forth sweet water and bitter?
12 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.
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? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done with the gentleness that comes from 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 hearts, do not boast or deny the truth.
but if ye have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth;
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above; rather, it is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
this is not the wisdom, that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and diabolical:
16 For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and unhypocritical.
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 And 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.
