James 3

Controlling the Tongue

¹Not many should become teachers, my brothers, ^a because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. ^{b 2}For we all stumble in many ways. ^c If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. ^{d 3}Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, ^e we direct their whole bodies. ⁴And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. ^f Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. ⁶And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed ^g among our members. It stains the whole body, ^h sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. ⁷Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ^{i 9}With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. ^{j 10}Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. ¹¹Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? ¹²Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

The Wisdom from Above

¹³Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. ^{k 14}But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. ^{l 15}Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ^{m 16}For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. ¹⁷But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. ^{n 18}And the fruit of righteousness ^o is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.