James 3

Controlling the Tongue

3Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, ^k2for we all stumble in many ways. ^lIf anyone does not stumble in what he says, ^mhe is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. ^no

³Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, ^pwe also guide the whole animal. ^q4And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. ^rConsider how large a forest a small fire ignites. ⁶And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, ^ssets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.

⁷Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, ⁸but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ^t9We praise our ^uLord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. ^v10Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. ¹¹Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? ¹²Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

The Wisdom from Above

¹³Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. ^w14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. ^x15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ^y16For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. ¹⁷But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. ^z18And the fruit of righteousness ^ais sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.