James (The General Epistle of )

My brothers do not be many teachers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.

For we all stumble [in] many [ways]. If any one does not stumble in word, this [one is] a mature man, able also to bridle the whole body.

Behold, we put bits in the mouths of the horses, for them to obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Behold, the ships also, being so great, and being driven by violent winds, [they are] directed by a very small rudder, where the impulse of the [one] steering purposes.

So also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how little a fire kindles how large a forest!

And the tongue [is] a fire, the world of iniquity. So the tongue is set among our members, spotting all the body, and inflaming the course of nature, and having been inflamed by Hell.

For every species of beasts, both indeed of birds, of creeping things, and of sea animals, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human [species];

but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; [it is] an evil that cannot be restrained, full of death-dealing poison.

Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers it is not fitting [for] these things to be so.

[Does] the fountain out of the same hole send forth the sweet and the bitter?

My brothers, a fig tree is not able to produce olives, or a vine figs. So neither [can] a fountain produce both salt and sweet water.

Who [is] wise and knowing among you? Let him show his works by [his] good behavior, in meekness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and contention in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.

This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but [is] earthly, beastly, devilish.

For where jealousy and contention [are], there [is] confusion and every foul deed.

But the wisdom from above is firstly truly pure, then peaceable, forbearing, yielding, full of mercy and of good fruits, not partial and not pretended.

And [the] fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for the [ones] making peace.