James 3

Sawyer(i) 1 (2:1) BE not many of you teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive a severer judgment. 2 For in many things we all offend; if one offends not in word he is a perfect man, able to keep in subjection also the whole body. 3 But we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, and direct their whole body; 4 behold also the ships, though of so great size and driven by powerful winds, are directed by a very small helm wherever the will of the pilot chooses; 5 so also the tongue is a small member and boasts of great things. Behold, how much wood a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the tongue is made a world of wickedness among our members, it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race, 8 but the tongue can no man tame; it is a disorderly evil, full of a deadly poison. 9 With it bless we the Lord and Father, and with it curse we men made in the likeness of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceeds a blessing and a curse. My brothers, these things ought not so to be. 11 Does a fountain send forth sweet water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine, figs? So you cannot make salt water sweet. 13 (2:2) What wise and intelligent man is there among you? Let him show his works by good conduct, in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, boast not and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom comes not from above, but is earthly, natural, demoniacal. 16 For where envy and strife are, there are disorder and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be persuaded, full of mercy and of good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to those who make peace.