James 3

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment.	1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body around.	2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 For so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body around.	3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Consider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might will.	4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest.	5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from Hell.	6 And 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 course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature.	7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.	8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God.	9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!	10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Does a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter water?	11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 My brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh water.	12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.	13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you hold a bitter zeal, and if there is contention in your hearts, then do not boast and do not be liars against the truth.	14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 For this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolical.	15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work.	16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But within the wisdom that is from above, certainly, chastity is first, and next peacefulness, meekness, openness, consenting to what is good, a plenitude of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without falseness.	17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace.	18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.