James 3

¹My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment

²For we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body around

³For so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body around

⁴Consider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might will

⁵So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest

⁶And so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from Hell

⁷For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature

⁸But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison

⁹By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God

¹⁰From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so

¹¹Does a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter water

¹²My brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh water

¹³Who is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom

¹⁴But if you hold a bitter zeal, and if there is contention in your hearts, then do not boast and do not be liars against the truth

¹⁵For this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolical

¹⁶For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work

¹⁷But within the wisdom that is from above, certainly, chastity is first, and next peacefulness, meekness, openness, consenting to what is good, a plenitude of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without falseness

¹⁸And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace