3:1 My brethren, make not unto yourselves many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
3:2 For we all offend in many things. If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to govern the whole body with restraint.
3:3 Behold, we put bits (or restraint) in the horses’ mouths to persuade them, and we govern their whole body.
3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they are so great are driven of fierce winds, yet they are governed with a very small rudder, wherever the governor desires.
3:5 In the same manner, the tongue is a very small member and boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire kindles!
3:6 And 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 our nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
3:7 For every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of beings in the sea may be tamed and is tamed by mankind,
3:8 but no man can tame the tongue, which is an evil that cannot be restrained and is full of deadly poison.
3:9 With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.
3:10 Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
3:11 Does a fountain send forth at the same place both sweet and bitter water?
3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, produce olive berries? or the vine, figs? In the same manner no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh.
3:13 Who is wise and ready among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom.
3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, boast not and do not be liars against the truth.
3:15 This wisdom is not that which descends from above, but is earthly, natural, diabolical.
3:16 For where there is envy and contention, there is confusion and every perverse work.
3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, modest, benevolent, full of mercy and of good fruits, not judgmental, unfeigned.
3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace unto those that make peace.
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