James 3

 

 

2 For in many ways we all stumble. (However) if any man does not stumble in his words, the same is a perfect man, because (by the faith that dwells in his heart) he is also able to guide his (tongue and therefore his) whole body.

 

3 Now if we put bits in the horses' mouths, so that they may obey us; we are able to turn about (and guide) their whole body.

 

4 Behold, also the ships, which though they are so great (in size), and are driven of strong winds, yet they are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the one steering so desires.

 

5 Likewise also the tongue is a small member (of the body) which boasts in great (strength and lofty) things. Behold, how great a forest fire, a small fire, can kindle.

 

6 And (in the same way) the tongue is a fire, a world (full) of iniquity: so is the tongue among all our (bodies) members, that it (is able to) defile (polluting) the whole body and sets on fire (steering) the (natural) wheel of life (toward destruction); and is set on fire by hell (itself).

 

7 For every kind of beast, and bird, and creeping things, and things in the sea, are tamable, and have been tamed (and subdued) by mankind:

 

8 But the tongue (apart from the faith and grace of God dwelling in the heart) can no man tame; it is an unstable evil (destructive and desperately wicked), (and when it speaks from a deceitful heart) full of deadly poison (from the serpent).

 

9 With the tongue we bless the Lord, and the Father; and with the same (tongue) we curse men, those (who were predestined) to be made unto the likeness of God.

 

10 Out of the same mouth proceeds (life and death) praise and cursing (condemning words). My brethren, these things should not be so.

 

11 Does a fountain send forth from the same place sweet water and bitter?

 

12 Can the fig tree, bear olive berries? My brethren, or a grapevine, figs? so also can a fountain not produce both salt water and fresh.  

 

13 Who among you (would say that they) are wise and skilled with knowledge? let him show out of (the abundance of his heart) the good life that it works (in his heart and that it is able) to produce the way that leads to life (and peace) with (humility and) meekness of wisdom.

 

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and strife (conflict and contradiction that comes from) within your hearts, in that you should not boast (esteeming that wisdom, whereby you are deceived) and lie against the truth (that is against the true wisdom of God).

 

15 This wisdom does not come from above but (from below and) is earthly, carnal, (and proceeds from) the doctrines of demons.

 

16 For where there is jealousy and strife, there is confusion (instability) and every evil (laborious and molesting) work (that the flesh can produce).

 

17 But the wisdom that is (from Christ) from above is first pure (full of the life and power of God, uncontaminated, unable to ever cause harm), then peaceable (working in the heart the peace and rest that it has always longed for, free from every tormenting labor), gentle, light and easy to be persuaded by, full of (His) mercy (which is able to relieve all our suffering from the death and corruption in the world) and (it yields) all the good fruit (of His life), without partiality (or respect of persons), genuine (unpolluted and undisguised) free from any hypocrisy (or any hidden agendas).