James 3:5–18

⁵Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.^m Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶The tongue also is a fire,ⁿ a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,^o sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.^p

⁷All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.^q

⁹With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.^{r 10}Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹²My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?^s Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it^t by their good life, by deeds^u done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^v in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^{w 15}Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^x but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{y 16}For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^z there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven^a is first of all pure; then peace-loving,^b considerate, submissive, full of mercy^c and good fruit, impartial and sincere.^{d 18}Peacemakers^e who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.^f