The Letter of James, 3

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier^*1 judgment.

² For we all stumble^*1 many times. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle also his whole body.

³ If we put bridles in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide also their whole body.

⁴ Look also at ships: Although they are so big and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the man at the helm is inclined to go.

⁵ So, too, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it makes great brags. See how small a fire it takes to set a great forest ablaze!

⁶ The tongue is also a fire. The tongue represents a world of unrighteousness among our body members, for it defiles all the body and sets the whole course of life^*1 on fire, and it is set on fire by Ge·henʹna.^*2

⁷ For every kind of wild animal and bird and reptile^*1 and sea creature is to be tamed and has been tamed by humans.

⁸ But no human can tame the tongue. It is unruly and injurious, full of deadly poison.

⁹ With it we praise Jehovah,^*1 the Father, and yet with it we curse men who have come into existence “in the likeness of God.”

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not right for things to happen this way.

¹¹ A spring does not cause the fresh^*1 water and the bitter water to bubble out of the same opening, does it?

¹² My brothers, a fig tree cannot produce olives, or a grapevine figs, can it? Neither can salt water produce fresh water.

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him by his fine conduct demonstrate works performed with a mildness that comes from wisdom.

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and contentiousness^*1 in your hearts, do not be bragging and lying against the truth.

¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above; it is earthly, animalistic, demonic.

¹⁶ For wherever there are jealousy and contentiousness,^*1 there will also be disorder and every vile thing.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not hypocritical.

¹⁸ Moreover, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peaceful conditions for^*1 those who are making peace.