James 3

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

2 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 Indeed, when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.

4 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 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 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.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? In the same way, no spring can produce both salt water and fresh water.

13 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 jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

17 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 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

1 ¶ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For 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.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold 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.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And 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.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13 ¶ Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.

17 But 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.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

1 Brethren, forbear not every man to be a teacher: and know ye, that the more judgment we receive.

2 For we all lack in many ways. But he that lacketh not in any word is a perfect man, and is able to keep the whole body in check.

3 Behold, we keep the horses in bridles, that they may obey us; and we direct the whole body.

4 Behold, the ships, though they be great, and though they be driven by strong winds, yet are they steered with a small rudder whithersoever he that governeth them goeth.

5 So also the tongue is a small member, and doeth great things. Behold, a little fire, what a forest it kindles!

6 And the tongue also is a fire, a world of iniquity. So the tongue is among our members, and defileth the whole body, and kindleth upon all our conversation, when it is inflamed with hell.

7 For all the nature of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of the wonders of the sea, are tamed, and are made tame by human nature;

8 But the tongue no man can tame, the restless evil full of deadly poison.

9 By them we praise God the Father, and by them we curse man, made in the image of God.

10 Out of one mouth proceedeth praise and cursing. It shall not be so, brethren.

11 quillet also a fountain from a hole sweet and bitter?

12 Can a fig tree also, brethren, bear oil, or a vine figs? So also a well cannot give salty and sweet water.

13 Who is wise and prudent among you? Let him show his works in meekness and wisdom with his good conduct.

14 But if ye have bitter envy and strife in your heart, boast not, neither lie against the truth.

15 For this is not the wisdom that cometh down from above, but earthly, human, and devilish.

16 For where there is envy and strife, there is disorder and vile evil.

17 But wisdom from above is at first chaste, then peaceable, gentle, may it be said, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, without hypocrisy.

18 But the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to them that keep the peace.