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