James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Be not many [of you] teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in words, he is a perfect man, able to control even his whole body.
For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
3 Now if we put bits into horses' mouths for them to obey us, we can also direct their whole bodies.
Now if we put the horses’ bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
4 Notice also that ships, although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, are steered by a very small rudder to wherever the pilot desires.
Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.
5 Likewise the tongue is a small body part, yet it boasts great things. Notice also how small a fire sets on fire a large forest.
So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
6 The tongue is also a fire, a world of sinfulness set among our body parts. It stains the whole body and sets on fire the course of life. It is itself set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 For every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is being tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:
8 But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
but the tongue can no man tame; [it is] a restless evil, [it is] full of deadly poison.
9 With it we praise the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:
10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not happen.
out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Does a spring pour out from its opening both sweet and bitter water?
Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet [water] and bitter?
12 Does a fig tree, my brothers, make olives? Or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salty water produce sweet water.
can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither [can] salt water yield sweet.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let that person show a good life by his works in the humility of wisdom.
Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where there are jealousy and ambition, there is confusion and every evil practice.
For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.
18 The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.
