James Chapter III.

[1 We must not rashly or arrogantly reprove others. 2 The importance of 
governing the tongue. 13 How true wisdom will manifest itself, in opposition 
to strife and envy.]

MY brethren, be not many masters, knowing that 
we shall receive the greater condemnation. 
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man
offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and
able also to bridle the whole body. 
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that 
they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 
4 Behold also the ships, which, though they be 
so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are 
they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever
the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and 
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter 
a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity:
so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth 
the whole body, and setteth on fire the course 
of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and 
of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, an 
hath been tamed, of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly 
evil, full of deadly poison. 
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and 
therewith curse we men, which are made after the 
similitude of God. 
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and 
cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place 
sweet water and bitter? 
12 Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries?
either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield
salt water and fresh. 
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge 
among you? let him shew out of a good conversation 
of his works with meekness of wisdom. 
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in 
your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but 
is earthly, sensual, devilish. 
16 For where envying and strife is, there is 
confusion, and every evil work. 
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first 
pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated,
full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, 
and without hypocrisy. 
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in 
peace of them that make peace.