James 3

  • [1]Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
  • [2]For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, 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.
  • [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.
  • [5]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.
  • [7]For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.
  • [8]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.
  • [10]Out of the same mouth comes 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?
  • [12]Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
  • [13]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.
  • [15]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.
  • [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.
  • [18]Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

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