Godbey - James - 3

3:1  Be ye not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment.

3:2  For we all fail in many things; if any one fails not in word, the same is a perfect man, able even to bridle the whole body.

3:3  But if we put bridles into the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us; and we manage their whole body;

3:4  behold also the ships, being so great, and driven by fierce winds, are managed by the smallest rudder, whithersoever the will of the steersman prefers;

3:5  so also the tongue is a little member, and it boasts great things. Behold, how great a wood a little fire kindles!

3:6  The tongue, a fire, the world of iniquity: the tongue sits down in the midst of our members, and corrupting the whole body, and setting on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell.

3:7  For every nature both of wild beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of oceanic animals, is subdued, and has been subjugated to human nature:

3:8  but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; an incorrigible evil, full of deadly poison.

3:9  With it we bless the Lord, even the Father; and with it we scold the people, who have been made after the image of God:

3:10  out of the same mouth come forth blessing and scolding. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

3:11  Whether does the fountain out of the same chink send forth sweet water and bitter?

3:12  My brethren, whether is the fig-tree able to produce olives, or the vine figs? Neither is the bitter fountain able to produce sweet water.

3:13  Who is wise and instructed among you? Let him show forth out of beautiful conduct his works in meekness of wisdom.

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

3:15  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but it is earthly, intellectual, and demoniacal.

3:16  For where there are envy and strife, there are contention and every evil work.

3:17  But the wisdom which is from above is indeed first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily persuaded, full of mercy and of good works, free from partiality and hypocrisy.

3:18  But the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to those who are making peace.