THE 1GENERAL 2EPISTLE
OF
3JAMES
James 3 ©
1 The apostle further reproves those who, as masters, easily reprehend others, whereas they themselves also oftentimes do amiss. 2 And teaches that he, who can bridle his tongue, can also govern well all other members. 3 As horses are governed with a bridle. 4 And ships with a helm. 5 But when the tongue is not restrained that than it is as a fire, which, how little it may be, can kindle a great deal of wood. 7 That the restraining of the tongue is much more difficult than the taming of any wild beast, and that an unbridled tongue brings forth much evil. 9 That it is absurd that with one and the same tongue a man would bless God and curse his neighbor. 11 Even as a fountain does not together yield salt and sweet water, nor a tree different fruits. 13 Afterward he admonishes to meekness, and to laying aside of envy and desire of contention. 15 And describes the nature and property of earthly and heavenly wisdom. 18 And the fruit obtained thereby.
MY brethren, be nota1many masters, knowing thatb we shall receive 2the greater 3condemnation.
For in many things we 4offend all. Ifc any man offend not 5in word, the same is a 6perfect man, and able also 7to bridle 8the whole body.
Behold, 9we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn 10about 11their whole body.
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 12the governor listeth.d
Evene so the tongue is a little member, and 13boasteth great things. Behold, how 14great a matterf15a little fire kindleth!
And 16the tongue 17is a fire, 18a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it 19defileth the whole body, and 20setteth on fire 21the course of nature; and it is 22set on fire 23of hell.
For 24every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is 25tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
But the tongue 26can no man 27tame; it is an unruly evil, 28full of deadly poison.
29Therewith bless we God, 30even the Father; and therewith curse we men, whichg are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, 31these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth 32at the same place 33sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, 34bear 35olive berries? either a vine, 36figs? 37so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
38Who is a wise man and enduedh with knowledge among you? leti him shew out of a 39good conversation 40his works 41with meekness of wisdom.
Butj if ye have bitter 42envying and strife in your hearts, 43glory not, and 44lie not 45against the truth.
Thisk wisdom descendeth not 46from above, but is 47earthly, 48sensual, 49devilish.
Forl where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
But the wisdom that is from above is first 50pure, then peaceable, 51gentle, and 52easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, 53without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
And 54the fruit of righteousness 55is 56sown in peace of them 57that make peace.