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James 3

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& Let not many {of you} become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

& For we all stumble in many {ways.} If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

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

& Look 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.

& So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and {yet} it boasts of great things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

& And the tongue is a fire, the {very} world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of {our} life, and is set on fire by hell.

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

& But no one can tame the tongue; {it is} a restless evil {and} full of deadly poison.

& With it we bless {our} Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

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

& Does a fountain send out from the same opening {both} fresh and bitter {water?}

& Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor {can} salt water produce fresh.

& Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

& But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and {so} lie against the truth.

& This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

& For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

& But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

& And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. All rights reserved.

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