James 3:3-4:10

New American Standard Bible

³ Now ^(A)if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. ⁴ Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it ^(B)boasts of great things.

^(C)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! ⁶ And ^(D)the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among ^[a]our body’s parts as that which ^(E)defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our ^[b]life, and is set on fire by ^[c](F)hell. ⁷ For every ^[d]species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human ^[e]race. ⁸ But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of ^(G)deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless ^(H)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, ^(I)who have been made in the likeness of God; ¹⁰ from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. ¹¹ Does a spring send out from the same opening both ^[f]fresh and bitter water? ^12 (J)Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce ^[g]fresh.

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? ^(K)Let him show by his ^(L)good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(M)jealousy and ^[h]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against ^(N)the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down ^(O)from above, but is ^(P)earthly, ^[i](Q)natural, ^(R)demonic. ¹⁶ For where ^(S)jealousy and ^[j]selfish ambition exist, ^[k]there is disorder and every evil thing. ¹⁷ But the wisdom ^(T)from above is first ^(U)pure, then ^(V)peace-loving, ^(W)gentle, ^[l]reasonable, ^(X)full of mercy and good fruits, ^[m](Y)impartial, free of ^(Z)hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the ^(AA)fruit of righteousness is sown in peace ^[n]by those who make peace.

Things to Avoid

4 ^[o]What is the source of quarrels and ^(AB)conflicts among you? ^[p]Is the source not your pleasures that wage ^(AC)war in ^[q]your body’s parts? ² You lust and do not have, so you ^(AD)commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and ^(AE)do not receive, because you ask ^[r]with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request ^[s]on your pleasures. ⁴ You ^(AF)adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with ^(AG)the world is ^(AH)hostility toward God? ^(AI)Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture ^(AJ)says to no purpose, “^[t]He ^[u]jealously desires ^(AK)the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us”? ⁶ But ^(AL)He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “^(AM)God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ^7 (AN)Submit therefore to God. But ^[v](AO)resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ^8 (AP)Come close to God and He will come close to you. ^(AQ)Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and ^(AR)purify your hearts, you ^(AS)[w]double-minded. ^9 (AT)Be miserable, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom. ^10 (AU)Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.