James 3

¹Not many of you should become teachers , my brothers , for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness .

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

³If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us , we guide their whole bodies as well .

⁴Look at the ships also : though they are so large and are driven by strong winds , they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs .

⁵So also the tongue is a small member , yet it boasts of great things . How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire !

⁶And the tongue is a fire , a world of unrighteousness . The tongue is set among our members , staining the whole body , setting on fire the entire course of life , and set on fire by hell .

⁷For every kind of beast and bird , of reptile and sea creature , can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind ,

⁸but no human being can tame the tongue . It is a restless evil , full of deadly poison .

⁹With it we bless our Lord and Father , and with it we curse people who are 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 spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water ?

¹²Can a fig tree , my brothers , bear olives , or a grapevine produce figs ? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water .

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

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

¹⁵This is not the wisdom that comes down from above , but is earthly , unspiritual , demonic .

¹⁶For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be 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 a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace .