James 3:1–18
1 aLet not many of you become teachers, bmy brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a 1stricter judgment.
2 For we all astumble in many ways. bIf anyone does not stumble in 1what he says, he is a cperfect man, able to dbridle the whole body as well.
3 Now aif we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it aboasts of great things.
bSee how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6 And athe tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which bdefiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our 1life, and is set on fire by 2chell.
7 For every 1species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human 1race.
8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of adeadly poison.
9 With it we bless aour Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, bwho have been made in the likeness of God;
10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both 1fresh and bitter water?
12 aCan a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce 1fresh.
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? aLet him show by his bgood behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter ajealousy and 1selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against bthe truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down afrom above, but is bearthly, 1cnatural, ddemonic.
16 For where ajealousy and 1selfish ambition exist, 2there is disorder and every evil thing.
17 But the wisdom afrom above is first bpure, then cpeaceable, dgentle, 1reasonable, efull of mercy and good fruits, funwavering, without ghypocrisy.
18 And the 1aseed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace 2by those who make peace.