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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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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:

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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