James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will 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 anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect person, 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 bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we guide their whole body.
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.
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.
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 is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest.
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 defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course 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 all kinds of animals, and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, are being tamed and have been tamed by humankind.
8 But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, 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.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the image of God.
10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not happen.
Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring pour out from its opening both sweet and bitter water?
Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
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 brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Nor is salt water able to produce 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 conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and do not lie against the truth.
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
16 For where there are jealousy and ambition, there is confusion and every evil practice.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil 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 peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.
18 The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
