James 3

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

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

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

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.