James 3
All 18 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.
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- 1Brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we will receive greater condemnation.
- 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what they say, they are a perfect person, able to control their whole body.
- 3Consider this: we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, and we can steer their whole body.
- 4Or consider ships — even massive ones driven by fierce winds are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot wishes.
- 5In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider how a small fire can ignite a large matter!
- 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
- 7Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature has been tamed by human beings — and continues to be tamed.
- 8But no one can tame the tongue; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
- 9With the tongue, we bless God, even the Father, and with the same tongue, we curse people who are made in the image of God.
- 10Praise and cursing pour out of the same mouth. Brothers and sisters, this should never be the case.
- 11Does a spring pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?
- 12Brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives? Can a grapevine produce figs? Of course not — and a saltwater spring can't produce fresh water either.
- 13Who is wise and endowed with knowledge among you? Let him show by good conduct his works with meekness of wisdom.
- 14But if you have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, do not boast and do not lie against the truth.
- 15This wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
- 16For where jealousy and strife exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.
- 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
- 18The fruit of righteousness is planted in peace by those who make peace.