James 3

1 My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment.2 For 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.3 For 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.4 Consider 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.5 So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest.6 And 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.7 For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature.8 But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.9 By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God.10 From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!11 Does a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter water?12 My brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh water.13 Who is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.14 But 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.15 For this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolical.16 For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work.17 But 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.18 And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3

The Power of the Tongue

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,t because you know that we will be judged more strictly.t2 For we all stumblet in many ways. If someone does not stumblet in what he says,t he is a perfect individual,t able to control the entire body as well.3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies.t4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs.5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body,t yet it has great pretensions.t Thinkt how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.

6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue representst the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. Itt pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell.s
7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creaturet is subdued and has been subdued by humankind.t8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restlesss evil, full of deadly poison.9 With it we bless the Lords and Father, and with it we curse peoplet made in God’s image.10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.t11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it?

12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters,t or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water.

True Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.t14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.15 Sucht wisdom does not comet from above but is earthly, natural,t demonic.16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice.17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating,t full of mercy and good fruit,t impartial, and not hypocritical.t

18 And the fruit that consists of righteousnesst is plantedt in peace amongt those who make peace.