James 3

¹Do not become many teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a greater judgment.

²For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

³If now we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole body.

⁴Behold, also the ships, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are turned about by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman wills.

⁵So also the tongue is a small member, and it boasts great things. Behold, how great a fire sets ablaze how great a forest!

⁶And the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity. Thus the tongue is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of nature, and is itself set on fire by Gehenna.

⁷For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, is tamed and has been tamed by humankind.

⁸But no one among humans is able to tame the tongue — an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who have been made in the likeness of God.

¹⁰From the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

¹¹Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?

¹²Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine figs? Nor can a spring produce salt and fresh water.

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the meekness of wisdom.

¹⁴But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

¹⁵This wisdom is not from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

¹⁶For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every vile practice.

¹⁷But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere.

¹⁸And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.