James 3:1
Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.
James 3:2
For we all stumble in many things. If any man does not stumble in word, this is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
James 3:3
Behold we put bits into the mouths of horses for them to obey us, and we guide about their whole body.
James 3:4
Behold also the ships, being so great and driven by fierce winds, are guided about by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse of the man who steers determines.
James 3:5
So also the tongue is a little body-part, and boasts greatly. Behold a little fire, how much wood it kindles.
James 3:6
And the tongue is a fire, the world of unrighteousness. Thus, the tongue is made to lead among our body-parts, defiling the whole body, and setting the cycle of nature on fire, and being set on fire by hell.
James 3:7
For every species, both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human species.
James 3:8
But no man is able to tame the tongue of men, an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:9
By it we bless the God and Father, and by it we curse men, who were made according to a likeness of God.
James 3:10
Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and curse. My brothers, these things ought not to happen this way.
James 3:11
Does the spring pour out from the same opening the sweet and the bitter?
James 3:12
A fig tree, my brothers, cannot make olives, or a grapevine figs. In the same way, no one spring makes water salty and sweet.
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show from his good behavior his works in meekness of wisdom.
James 3:14
But if ye have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast, and do not lie against the truth.
James 3:15
This wisdom is not descending from above, but is earthly, world-soul, demonic.
James 3:16
For where envy and selfish ambition are, there is instability and every evil deed.
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is indeed first pure, then peaceful, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and non-hypocritical.
James 3:18
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to those who make peace.