James 3
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
2 For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.
For in many things we all stumble. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.
3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
Now if we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we guide their whole body.
4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
And look at the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest.
6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna. (Geenna g1067)
And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
For all kinds of animals, and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, are being tamed and have been tamed by humankind.
8 but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the image of God.
10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Nor is salt water able to produce sweet.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and do not lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
