James 3

¹My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment.

²For 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.

³For 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.

⁴Consider 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.

⁵So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest.

⁶And 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.

⁷For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature.

⁸But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God.

¹⁰From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!

¹¹Does a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter water?

¹²My brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh water.

¹³Who is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.

¹⁴But 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.

¹⁵For this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolical.

¹⁶For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work.

¹⁷But 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.

¹⁸And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3

¹Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.

²For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body.

³For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us: and we turn about their whole body.

⁴Behold also ships, whereas they are great and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.

⁵Even so the tongue is indeed a little member and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.

⁶And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.

⁷For every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of the rest is tamed and hath been tamed, by the nature of man.

⁸But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men who are made after the likeness of God.

¹⁰Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

¹¹Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water?

¹²Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes? Or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet.

¹³Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge, among you? Let him shew, by a good contestation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.

¹⁴But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contention in your hearts: glory not and be not liars against the truth.

¹⁵For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish.

¹⁶For where envying and contention is: there is inconstancy and every evil work.

¹⁷But the wisdom that is from above, first indeed is chaste, then peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, without dissimulation.

¹⁸And the fruit of justice is sown in peace, to them that make peace.