James 3

The Tongue Is a Fire

11Let not many of you become teachers, 2my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a 3stricter judgment. 2For we all 4stumble in many ways. 5If anyone does not stumble in 6what he says, he is a 7perfect man, able to 8bridle the whole body as well. 3Now 9if 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, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it 10boasts of great things.

11See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6And 12the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which 13defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our 14life, and is set on fire by 1516hell. 7For every 17species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human 18race. 8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of 19deadly poison. 9With it we bless 20our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, 21who have been made in the likeness of God; 10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11Does a fountain send out from the same opening both 22fresh and bitter water? 1223Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce 24fresh.

Wisdom from Above

13Who among you is wise and understanding? 25Let him show by his 26good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter 27jealousy and 28selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against 29the truth. 15This wisdom is not that which comes down 30from above, but is 31earthly, 3233natural, 34demonic. 16For where 35jealousy and 36selfish ambition exist, 37there is disorder and every evil thing. 17But the wisdom 38from above is first 39pure, then 40peaceable, 41gentle, 42reasonable, 43full of mercy and good fruits, 44unwavering, without 45hypocrisy. 18And the 4647seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace 48by those who make peace.