James 3:1 - 3:18 | ASV

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¹Be not many `of you' teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

²For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

³Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.

⁴Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.

⁵So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

⁶And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.

⁷For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.

⁸But the tongue can no man tame; `it is' a restless evil, `it is' full of deadly poison.

⁹Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

¹⁰out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

¹¹Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet `water' and bitter?

¹²Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither `can' salt water yield sweet.

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

¹⁴But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

¹⁵This wisdom is not `a wisdom' that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

¹⁶For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.

¹⁷But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.

¹⁸And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.

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