James 3 — TNTC

3Verse 1My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we⁺shall receive a stricter judgment.^{Verse 2}Because we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, being able to bridle the whole body as well.^{Verse 3}Consider, we put bits in horses' mouths for them to obey us, and we guide their whole body.^{Verse 4}Consider also the ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the pilot may desire.^{Verse 5}So also the tongue is a small member and boasts great things. Just look at how great a forest a little fire can kindle!^{Verse 6}And the tongue is a fire! The organization of wickedness,⁺that is how the tongue is placed among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of life, itself being set on fire by hell.^{+Verse 7}Every kind of animal and bird, reptile and sea creature, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race,^{Verse 8}but no one among men is able to tame the tongue—an uncontrollable⁺evil, full of deadly poison.^{+Verse 9}With it we bless God⁺and Father,⁺and with it we curse the people who have been made in God's likeness.^{Verse 10}Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and curses. My brothers, these things should not be that way.^{Verse 11}A spring does not send out sweet and bitter water from the same opening, does it?^{Verse 12}Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grape vine figs? Thus no spring yields salt water and sweet.⁺

True contrasted with demonic

^{Verse 13}Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him exhibit his works in the meekness of wisdom, by his good way of life.^{Verse 14}But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth—^{Verse 15}such ‘wisdom’ is not coming down from Above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.^{+Verse 16}Because where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is unruliness and every foul practice.^{+Verse 17}In contrast, the wisdom from Above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.^{Verse 18}Now the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace by those making peace.⁺