THE BIBLE
James
Chapter 3

3:1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
3:2 For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
3:3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
3:4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
3:5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
3:6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
3:7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.
3:8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.
3:10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
3:11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.
3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE

Return to Book Index
Return to Bible Index