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James 3 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

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Taming the Tongue

Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:1 - Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:2 - For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:3 - If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:4 - Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:5 - So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:6 - And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[fn] and set on fire by hell.[fn]
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:7 - For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:8 - but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:9 - With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:10 - From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[fn] these things ought not to be so.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:11 - Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:12 - Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Wisdom from Above

Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:13 - Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:14 - But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:15 - This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:16 - For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:17 - But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:18 - And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
ESV Footnotes
Or wheel of birth
Greek Gehenna
Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

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