James

The general epistle of James, chapter 3, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 3 New English Translation

The Power of the Tongue

   1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot's inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence - and is set on fire by hell.
   7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. 8 But no human being can subdue 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 made in God's image. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. 11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water.

True Wisdom

   13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. 18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.

King James Version

   1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
   2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
   3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
   4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
   5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
   6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
   7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
   8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
   9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
   10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
   11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
   12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
   13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
   14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
   15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
   16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
   17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
   18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.