The Epistle of James
3:1 Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive
heavier judgment. 3:2For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in
word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. 3:3Now if we
put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their
whole body also. 3:4Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven
by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse
of the steersman willeth. 3:5So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth
great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! 3:6And the
tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which
defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire
by hell. 3:7For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the
sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind. 3:8But the tongue can no man
tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. 3:9Therewith bless we the Lord
and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:
3:10out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these
things ought not so to be. 3:11Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening
sweet water and bitter? 3:12Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs?
Neither can salt water yield sweet. 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you?
let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom. 3:14But if ye have
bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.
3:15This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish. 3:16For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and
every vile deed. 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance,
without hypocrisy. 3:18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that
make peace.