James 3

1 Do not become many teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a greater judgment; [a] 2 for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a complete man, able to bridle the whole body as well. [b]

3 And if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they obey us, we turn their whole body about as well. 4 Look at the ships too: as large as they are, and driven by hard winds, they are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse of the one steering wills. [c] 5 So also the tongue is a small member, and it boasts great things. Look how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest! [d]

6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of unrighteousness, the tongue, is set among our members, staining the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth, and set on fire by Gehenna. [e] 7 For every nature of wild animals and birds, of creeping things and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by the human nature; 8 but no one among humans is able to tame the tongue — an unsettled evil, full of deadly poison. [g]

9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who have come into being according to the likeness of God. [h] 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, ought not to be so. 11 The spring does not pour out the sweet and the bitter from the same opening, does it? 12 A fig tree is not able, my brothers, to make olives, or a vine figs, is it? Neither can salt water make sweet. [i]

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works out of his good conduct, in gentleness of wisdom. [j] † 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast over it and lie against the truth. [k] 15 This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but earthly, soulish, demonic. [l] 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is disorder and every worthless thing. [m]