James

James 3 ©

1 We must not rashly take upon ourselves to reprove others. 2 The importance, difficulty, and duty, of governing the tongue. 13 True wisdom will shew itself in meekness, peaceableness, and charity, in opposition to strife and envying.

1

MY brethren, abe not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater 1condemnation.

a Ec. 7.16. Mat. 7.1,2; 23.8,10,14. Lu. 6.37,38. Ro. 2.1-3,20,21. 2Co. 1.24. 1Pe. 5.3. Pr. 16.18. Lu. 12.47,48. Mat. 11.22,24.
2

bFor in many things we offend all. If cany man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

b 1Ki. 8.46. Pr. 20.9. Ec. 7.20. 1Jn. 1.8. Is. 64.6.
c Ps. 34.13; 39.1,2. ch. 1.4,19,26. Pr. 13.3; 15.1; 25.8. Mat. 12.36,37. 1Pe. 3.10.
3

Behold, dwe put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

d Ps. 32.9. Is. 37.29. Pr. 26.3. Ps. 39.1.
4

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and eare driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor *listeth.

e Ps. 107.25-27. Jonah 1.4. Ac. 27.14,15,27.
5

fEven so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a 2*matter a little fire kindleth!

f Ps. 10.3; 12.3,4; 73.8,9. Job 21.14,15. Pr. 12.18; 15.1,2. Re. 13.5,6.
6

gAnd 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 3course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

g ch. 1.26. Pr. 16.27; 15.1; 17.4. Ro. 3.13,14. Ps. 5.9; 64.3; 140.3. Mat. 15.11-20. Mar. 7.15,20-23. v.2. Ec. 7.6.
7

For every 4kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of 5mankind:

8

But the tongue can no man tame; it his an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

h v.6. Ps. 55.21; 57.4; 59.7; 58.4; 64.3,4; 140.3,4. Ro. 3.13,14. Ec. 10.11.
9

iTherewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, jwhich are made after the similitude of God.

i Ps. 145.21. Is. 29.13.
j Ge. 1.26,27; 9.6. 1Co. 11.7.
10

kOut of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

k Ge. 49.4. 1Ki. 18.21. Is. 48.2,4. Je. 7.4,9,10. Mi. 3.11. Lu. 6.46. Ps. 50.16. v.9.
11

Doth a fountain send forth at the same 6place sweet water and bitter?

12

lCan the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

l Mat. 7.16-18; 12.33. Lu. 6.44. Ga. 5.19-23.
13

mWho is a wise man and *endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good n*conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

m Ps. 107.43. Ho. 14.9. Mat. 5.16. Ep. 5.8,9,15. Phi. 1.27; 2.15; 4.8. Ro. 12. Col. 3. 1Th. 5. 1Ti. 6.11,12. 2Ti. 2.22-25. Tit. 2.11,12; 3.8,14. ch. 1.21; 2.18. 1Pe. 3.15.
n Ga. 1.13.
14

But if ye have obitter envying and strife in your hearts, pglory not, and lie not against the truth.

o Ro. 13.13. 2Co. 12.20. Ga. 5.15,20,21,26.
p Ro. 2.17-23. 2Ti. 3.5. Je. 7.4,9. ch. 1.21. 1Pe. 2.1,2.
15

qThis wisdom descendeth not rfrom above, but is earthly, 7sensual, devilish.

q Je. 4.22. 1Co. 2.7; 3.3. Jude 19. Ga. 5.19,20. Phi. 3.19. Ro. 8.7.
r ch. 1.17.
16

sFor where envying and strife is, there is 8confusion and every evil work.

s Ga. 5.15,20,21,26. 1Co. 3.3. ch. 4.1.
17

tBut the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, ugentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without 9partiality, and without hypocrisy.

t 1Co. 2.6,7. ch. 1.5,17. Mat. 5.7,8. Phi. 4.8. Lu. 6.36. 1Ti. 1.5. Ro. 12.9. 2Co. 6.6. Ga. 5.22; 6.9. 1Th. 4.3,4,9. He. 12.4. ch. 1.19,21,26,27. 1Pe. 1.22; 2.1. ch. 2.1-4.
u Phi. 4.5.
18

vAnd the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

v Pr. 11.18. Is. 32.17. Ho. 10.12. 2Co. 9.10. Mat. 5.9. Phi. 1.11. He. 12.11.