Jubilee2000 - James - 3

3:1  My brethren, make not unto yourselves many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

3:2  For we all offend in many things. If any man offends not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to govern the whole body with restraint.

3:3  Behold, we put bits ([or restraint]) in the horses' mouths to persuade them, and we govern their whole body.

3:4  Behold also the ships, which though [they are] so great are driven of fierce winds, yet they are governed with a very small rudder, wherever the governor desires.

3:5  In the same manner, the tongue is a very small member and boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire kindles!

3:6  And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

3:7  For every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of beings in the sea may be tamed and is tamed by mankind,

3:8  but no man can tame the tongue, which is an evil that cannot be restrained and is full of deadly poison.

3:9  With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.

3:10  Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

3:11  Does a fountain send forth at the same place [both] sweet and bitter [water]?

3:12  Can the fig tree, my brethren, produce olive berries? or the vine, figs? In the same manner no fountain [can] yield both salt water and fresh.

3:13  Who is wise and ready among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom.

3:14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, boast not and do not be liars against the truth.

3:15  This wisdom is not that which descends from above, but [is] earthly, natural, diabolical.

3:16  For where there is envy and contention, there [is] confusion and every perverse work.

3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, modest, benevolent, full of mercy and of good fruits, not judgmental, unfeigned.

3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace unto those that make peace.: