James 3

1 Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.2 For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body.3 For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.4 Behold also ships, whereas they are great, and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.5 Even so the tongue is indeed a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.7 For every nature of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of the rest, is tamed, and hath been tamed, by the nature of man:8 But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.9 By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness 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, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water?12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes; or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet.13 Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew, by a good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.14 But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contentions in your hearts; glory not, and be not liars against the truth.15 For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For where envying and contention is, there is inconstancy, and every evil work.17 But the wisdom, that is from above, first indeed is chaste, then peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, without dissimulation.18 And the fruit of justice is sown in peace, to them that 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.