James 3

CLV(i) 1 Not many should become teachers, my brethren, being aware that we shall be getting greater judgment." 2 For we all are tripping much. If anyone is not tripping in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also." 3 Now if we are thrusting the horses' bits into their mouths, so that they are yielding to us, we are steering their whole body also with it." 4 Lo! the ships also, being of such proportions, and driven by hard winds, are being steered by the least rudder, wherever the impulse of the helmsman is intending." 5 Thus the tongue, also, is a little member and is grandiloquent. Lo! What amount of fire is kindling what amount of material!" 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of injustice. The tongue is constituted among our members that which is spotting the whole body, and setting the wheel of our lineage aflame, and is set aflame by Gehenna." 7 For every nature, both of wild beasts and flying creatures, both of reptiles and those of the salt sea, is tamed and has been tamed by human nature." 8 Yet the tongue can no man tame - a turbulent evil, distended with death-carrying venom." 9 With it we are blessing the Lord and Father, and with it we are cursing men who have come to be in accord with God's likeness." 10 Out of the same mouth is coming forth blessing and cursing. There is no need, my brethren, for this to become thus." 11 No spring out of the same hole is venting the sweet and the bitter. 12 No fig tree, my brethren, can produce olives, nor a grapevine figs. Thus neither does brine produce sweet water." 13 Who is wise and an adept among you? Let him show his works by an ideal behavior in meekness of wisdom. 14 Now if you are having bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, are you not vaunting against and falsifying the truth? 15 This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but terrestrial, soulish, demoniacal. " 16 For wherever jealousy and faction are, there is turbulence also, and every bad practice." 17 Now the wisdom from above is first, indeed, pure, thereupon peaceable, lenient, compliant, bulging with mercy and good fruits, undiscriminating, unfeigned." 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is being sown in peace for those making peace.