James 3

Taming the Tongue

¹Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

²For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his entire body as well.

³Behold, we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they will obey us, and we guide their entire bodies.[#3:3 Behold, we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they will obey us, and we guide their entire bodies. ¦ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they will obey us, we guide their entire bodies as well. CT]

⁴Or take ships for example, though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot directs.

⁵In the same way, the tongue is a small member, yet it makes great boasts.

Consider how great a forest a little fire kindles.

⁶And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of unrighteousness, staining the entire body, setting the course of life on fire, and itself being set on fire by hell.

⁷Every species of beast, bird, reptile, and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by man,

⁸but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.[#3:8 an unruly 97.4% ¦ a restless CT 2.6%]

⁹With it we bless God our Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in God's likeness.[#3:9 God our ¦ our Lord and CT]

¹⁰Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this ought not to be so.

¹¹Does a spring pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?

¹²Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? In the same way, no spring can produce both salt water and fresh water.[#3:12 In the same way, no spring can produce both salt water and ¦ Neither can salt water produce CT]

The Wisdom from Above

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done with the gentleness that comes from wisdom.

¹⁴But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast or deny the truth.

¹⁵This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

¹⁶For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and unhypocritical.

¹⁸And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.