James 3 (New American Standard Bible)

James 3

The Tongue Is a Fire

 ^1(A)Let not many of you become teachers, ^(B)my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

 ²For we all ^(C)stumble in many ways ^(D)If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a ^(E)perfect man, able to ^(F)bridle the whole body as well.

 ³Now ^(G)if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

 ⁴Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

 ⁵So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it ^(H)boasts of great things ^(I)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

 ⁶And ^(J)the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which ^(K)defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by ^(L)hell.

 ⁷For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.

 ⁸But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of ^(M)deadly poison.

 ⁹With it we bless ^(N)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, ^(O)who have been made in the likeness of God;

 ¹⁰from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

 ¹¹Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?

 ^12(P)Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

Wisdom from Above

 ¹³Who among you is wise and understanding? ^(Q)Let him show by his ^(R)good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

 ¹⁴But if you have bitter ^(S)jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against ^(T)the truth.

 ¹⁵This wisdom is not that which comes down ^(U)from above, but is ^(V)earthly, ^(W)natural, ^(X)demonic.

 ¹⁶For where ^(Y)jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

 ¹⁷But the wisdom ^(Z)from above is first ^(AA)pure, then ^(AB)peaceable, ^(AC)gentle, reasonable, ^(AD)full of mercy and good fruits, ^(AE)unwavering, without ^(AF)hypocrisy.

 ¹⁸And the ^(AG)seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.