James 3

Restraining the Tongue

1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a greater judgment.t2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual,t able to hold in check his whole body also.3 And if we put bits in the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.4 Behold also ships: although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wishes.5 So also the tongue is a small member of the body and boasts great things. Behold how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest!

6 And the tongue is a fire! The world of unrighteousness,t the tongue, is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of human existencet, being set on fire by hell.
7 For every species of animals and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is being tamed and has been tamed by the human species,8 but no human being is able to tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!11 A spring does not pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water, does it?

12 A fig tree is not able, my brothers, to produce olives, or a grapevine figs. Neither can a saltwater spring produce fresh water.

The Wisdom That Comes Down from Above

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good behavior his works, with the humility of wisdom.14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.16 For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, obedient, full of mercy and good fruits, nonjudgmental, without hypocrisy,

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace amongt those who make peace.

James 3

1 Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.2 For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.3 Now if we put the horses’ bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.5 So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!6 And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11 Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water yield sweet.13 Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.14 But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.15 This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.