| 3:1 | Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,* because you know that we will be judged more strictly.* |
| 3:2 | For we all stumble* in many ways. If someone does not stumble* in what he says,* he is a perfect individual,* able to control the entire body as well. |
| 3:3 | And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies.* |
| 3:4 | Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. |
| 3:5 | So too the tongue is a small part of the body,* yet it has great pretensions.* Think* how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. |
| 3:6 | And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents* the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It* pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell.* |
| 3:7 | For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature* is subdued and has been subdued by humankind.* |
| 3:8 | But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless* evil, full of deadly poison. |
| 3:9 | With it we bless the Lord* and Father, and with it we curse people* made in God’s image. |
| 3:10 | From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.* |
| 3:11 | A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? |
| 3:12 | Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters,* or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. |
| 3:13 | Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.* |
| 3:14 | But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. |
| 3:15 | Such* wisdom does not come* from above but is earthly, natural,* demonic. |
| 3:16 | For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. |
| 3:17 | But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating,* full of mercy and good fruit,* impartial, and not hypocritical.* |
| 3:18 | And the fruit that consists of righteousness* is planted* in peace among* those who make peace. |
James 3 - NET Bible [draft]
