James 3
1 My friends, not many of you should become teachers, because you know that we who teach will have a heavier responsibility in the judgment.
Not many of you should become teachers, my friends, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly than others.
2 All of us make mistakes in many ways. Anyone who doesn't make mistakes in what they say is truly a good person who can keep the whole body under control.
We often make mistakes, every one of us. Anyone who does not make mistakes when speaking is indeed a perfect person, able to bridle their whole body as well.
3 We put bridles into the mouths of horses so that they'll obey us, and we can direct them wherever we want.
When we put bits into horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we change their course the rest of their bodies.
4 Look at ships as well: even though they're very big and are driven along by strong winds, they're steered by a very small rudder in the direction the pilot wants to go.
Again, think of ships. Large as they are, and even when driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder and steered in whatever direction the man at the helm may determine.
5 In just the same way the tongue is a very small part of the body, but it makes great boasts! Think how a big forest can be set on fire by a very small flame!
So is it with the tongue. Small as it is, it is a great boaster. Think how a tiny spark may set the largest forest ablaze!
6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue is a world of evil among the parts of the body. It disgraces all you are as a person, and can burn down the whole of your life, since it is set on fire by Gehenna. (Geenna g1067)
And the tongue is like a spark. It is a world of unrighteousness among the parts of our body. It contaminates the whole body; it sets the whole course of our existence on fire, and is itself set on fire by the flames of Gehenna. (Geenna g1067)
7 People have tamed all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures,
For while all kinds of animals, birds and reptiles and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed by humans,
8 but no one can tame the tongue—it's an evil thing, hard to control, full of deadly poison.
no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless plague! It is charged with deadly poison!
9 We use the same tongue to bless our Lord and Father, as well as to curse people who are made in God's image—
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made ‘in God’s likeness.’
10 blessings and curses come from the same mouth! Friends, it shouldn't be this way!
From the very same mouth come blessings and curses! My friends, it is not right that this should be so.
11 Does a spring send both sweet and bitter water out of the same opening?
Does a spring give both good and bad water from the same source?
12 My friends, a fig tree can't produce olives, and a vine can't produce figs, any more than a salt water spring can produce fresh water!
Can a fig tree, my friends, bear olives? Or a vine bear figs? No, nor can a brackish well give good water.
13 Who among you has wisdom and understanding? Let their good lives demonstrate what they do—doing what is right with wise kindness and consideration.
Who among you claims to be wise and intelligent? They should show that their actions are the outcome of a good life lived in the humility of true wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast about it and don't lie against the truth.
But if you harbor bitter envy and a spirit of rivalry in your hearts, do not boast or deny the truth.
15 This kind of “wisdom” doesn't come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
That is not the wisdom which comes from above; no, it is earthly, animalistic, demonic.
16 Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition you'll also find confusion and all kinds of evil practices.
For where envy and rivalry exist, there you will also find disorder and all kinds of bad, worthless actions.
17 However, wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, and it also brings peace. It is kind and open to reason. It is full of mercy and produces good things. It is genuine and not hypocritical.
But the wisdom from above is, before everything else, pure; then peace-loving, gentle, open to conviction, rich in compassion and good deeds, and free from partiality and insincerity.
18 Those who sow peace will harvest the peace of what is truly good and right.
Justice is the harvest peacemakers will reap from seeds sown in a spirit of peace.
