James 3
1 My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment.
Let there not be many teachers among you, my brethren; but know ye, that we are obnoxious to, a severer 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.
For we all offend in many things. Whoever offendeth not in discourse, is a perfect man, who can also keep his whole body in subjection.
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.
Behold, we put bridles into the mouth of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
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.
Huge ships also, when strong winds drive them, are turned about by a small timber, to what place the pleasure of the pilot looketh.
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.
So likewise the tongue is a small member, and it exalteth itself. Also a little fire inflameth large forests.
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. (Geenna g1067)
Now the tongue is a fire, and the world of sin is like a forest. And this tongue, which is one among our members, marreth our whole body; and it inflameth the series of our generations that roll on like a wheel; and it is itself on fire. (Geenna g1067)
7 For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature.
For all natures of beasts and birds and reptiles, of the sea or land, are subjugated by the nature of man.
8 But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
But the tongue hath no one been able to tame: it is an evil thing, not coercible, and 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.
For with it, we bless the Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who were made in the image of God:
10 From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!
and from the same mouth, proceed curses and blessings. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter water?
Can there flow from the same fountain, sweet waters and bitter?
12 My brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh water.
Or can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olives? or the vine, figs? So also salt waters cannot be made sweet.
13 Who is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.
Who is wise and instructed among you? Let him show his works in praiseworthy actions, with modest 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.
But if bitter envy be in you, or contention in your hearts, exalt not yourselves against the truth, and lie not.
15 For this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolical.
For this wisdom cometh not down from above; but is earthly, and from the devices of the soul, and from demons.
16 For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work.
For where envy and contention are, there also is confusion, and every thing wrong.
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.
But the wisdom which is from above, is pure, and full of peace, and mild, and submissive, and full of compassion and of good fruits, and without partiality, and without respect of persons.
18 And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace.
And the fruits of righteousness are sown in stillness, by them who make peace.
