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| 3 | James |
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| 1 |
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness. | The Tongue Jas.3.1-12 |
| 2 |
For we all make many mistakes, and if anyone makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. | |
| 3 |
If we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we guide their whole bodies. | |
| 4 |
Look at the ships also; though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. | |
| 5 |
So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! | |
| 6 |
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. | |
| 7 |
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, | |
| 8 |
but no human being can tame the tongue - a restless evil, full of deadly poison. | |
| 9 |
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. | |
| 10 |
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so. | |
| 11 |
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish? | |
| 12 |
Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. | |
| 13 |
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. | The Wisdom from Above Jas.3.13-18 |
| 14 |
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. | |
| 15 |
This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. | |
| 16 |
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. | |
| 17 |
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. | |
| 18 |
And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. | |
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