Montgomery - James - 3

3:1  Do not become many teachers, my brothers, because you know well that we teachers shall be judged by a severer standard than others.

3:2  For in many respects we often stumble. If any man never stumbles in speech, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

3:3  When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we control their whole body also.

3:4  Look at the ships too, though they are so large, even when driven by fierce winds they are turned by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse of the helmsman wills.

3:5  So also the tongue is a small member and makes great boasts. Behold, how great a forest is set on fire by a little spark!

3:6  And the tongue is a fire; it is a very world of iniquity among our members, defiling the whole body, and setting on fire the wheel of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.

3:7  For while every kind of beast and bird, and of reptiles and sea- creatures are tamable, and actually have been tamed by mankind,

3:8  no man can tame the tongue, restless evil that it is, full of deadly poison.

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

3:10  From out of the same mouth pour forth blessings and cursings! My brothers, this ought not to be so.

3:11  Does a spring pour forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?

3:12  Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives; or a grape-vine, figs? No more can salt water yield fresh water.

3:13  Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him show his deeds by his good life, in the meekness of wisdom.

3:14  But if you have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, do not be boasting of that, and be false to the truth.

3:15  Such wisdom is not that which is descending from on high, but is earthly, sensual, demonlike.

3:16  For wherever jealousy and faction exist, there is confusion and every evil deed.

3:17  But the wisdom which comes from on high is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, conciliatory, overflowing with mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without insincerity.

3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is being sown in peace by those who are working peace.