NHEB - James - 3

3:1  Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

3:2  For in many things we all stumble. If anyone does not stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

3:3  Now if we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we guide their whole body.

3:4  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.

3:5  So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

3:6  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 hell.

3:7  For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.

3:8  But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

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

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

3:11  Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

3:12  Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Nor is salt water able to produce sweet.

3:13  Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

3:14  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and do not lie against the truth.

3:15  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

3:16  For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.

3:18  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.