James - Chapter 3 | New King James Version

  • 1. My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
  • 2. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
  • 3. Indeed, {cf2super [10]} we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
  • 4. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
  • 5. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
  • 6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
  • 7. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
  • 8. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
  • 9. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
  • 10. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
  • 11. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
  • 12. Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. {cf2super [11]}
  • 13. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
  • 14. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
  • 15. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
  • 16. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
  • 17. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
  • 18. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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