Tiago 3

¹ My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation.

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

³ Behold we put bits into the horses mouths, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.

⁴ Behold also the ships, tho' they are so great, and driven by fierce winds, yet are turned about by a very small helm, whithersoever the pilot listeth.

⁵ So the tongue also is a little member, yet boasteth great things. Behold how much matter a little fire kindleth.

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

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

⁸ But the tongue can no man tame: it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ Therewith bless we God the Father, and therewith curse we man, made after the likeness 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 out of the same place sweet water and bitter?

¹² Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries, or a vine figs? So can no fountain yield salt water and fresh.

¹³ Who is a wise and knowing man among you? Let him shew by a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

¹⁴ But if ye have bitter zeal and strife in your hearts, do not glory and lie against the truth.

¹⁵ This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, animal, devilish.

¹⁶ For where bitter zeal and strife is, there is unquietness and every evil work.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,

¹⁸ without partiality and without dissimulation, And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.