James 3
1 My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man, able to bridle his whole body as well.
3 Now if we put bridles in horses’ mouths so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies too.
4 Look also at ships: though they are so large and driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot’s impulse wills.
5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts of great things. Look how small a fire sets such a large forest ablaze!
6 The tongue too is a fire, a world of injustice. The tongue is set among our members; it stains the whole body, sets the course of life ablaze, and is itself set ablaze by Gehenna.
7 For every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is tamed and has been tamed by humankind.
8 But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who were made in the likeness of God.
10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be so.
11 Does a spring gush sweet and bitter water from the same opening?
12 My brothers, can a fig tree produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by his good conduct, with the gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast or lie against the truth.
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above; it is earthly, natural, demonic.
16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every kind of evil.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure; then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, sincere.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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