James 3
Taming the Tongue
aNot many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For awe all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, bhe is a perfect man, cable also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put abits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet ait boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And athe tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, bstaining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, afull of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people awho are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Wisdom from Above
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? aBy his good conduct let him show his works bin the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter ajealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not athe wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, bdemonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But athe wisdom from above is first pure, then bpeaceable, gentle, open to reason, cfull of mercy and good fruits, dimpartial and esincere. 18 And aa harvest of righteousness bis sown in peace by those who make peace.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.