King James Version
James • Chapter 3
1
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a greater judgment.
2
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in speech, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
3
If we put the bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we direct their whole body.
4
Behold, the ships, being so great and driven by harsh winds, are steered by a very small rudder wherever the will of the helmsman desires.
5
So also the tongue is a small member and boasts great things. Behold how great a fire ignites such a small wood.
6
And the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity; the tongue is placed among our members, which stains the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7
For every nature of beasts and birds, of creeping things and of sea creatures is tamed and has been tamed by human nature.
8
But no one can tame the tongue of men; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9
In her we bless the Lord and Father, and in her we curse the men who have been made in the likeness of God.
10
From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. It should not be, my brothers, that these things happen.
11
Does not the fountain bubble forth from the same opening both the sweet and the bitter?
12
A fig tree, my brothers, cannot produce olives, nor can a grapevine produce figs; nor can salt water produce sweet water.
13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the meekness of wisdom.
14
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15
This wisdom is not descending from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
16
For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every vile practice.
17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, unbiased, sincere.
18
But the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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