James 3
1My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment.
2For we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body around.
3For so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body around.
4Consider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might will.
5So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest.
6And so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from Hell.
7For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature.
8But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
10From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!
11Does a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter water?
12My brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh water.
13Who is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.
14But if you hold a bitter zeal, and if there is contention in your hearts, then do not boast and do not be liars against the truth.
15For this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolical.
16For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work.
17But within the wisdom that is from above, certainly, chastity is first, and next peacefulness, meekness, openness, consenting to what is good, a plenitude of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without falseness.
18And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace.
1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.