3James 3

The Tongue

1My friends, we should not all try to become teachers. In fact, teachers will be judged more strictly than others.Select James 3:1

2All of us do many wrong things. But if you can control your tongue, you are mature and able to control your whole body.Select James 3:2

3By putting a bit into the mouth of a horse, we can turn the horse in different directions.Select James 3:3

4It takes strong winds to move a large sailing ship, but the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction.Select James 3:4

5Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things. It takes only a spark to start a forest fire!Select James 3:5

6The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person's entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself.Select James 3:6

7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed.Select James 3:7

8But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison.Select James 3:8

10My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn't right.Select James 3:10

11Can clean water and dirty water both flow from the same spring?Select James 3:11

12Can a fig tree produce olives or a grapevine produce figs? Does fresh water come from a well full of salt water?Select James 3:12

Wisdom from Above

13Are any of you wise or sensible? Then show it by living right and by being humble and wise in everything you do.Select James 3:13

14But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and selfishness, don't brag or lie to cover up the truth.Select James 3:14

15This kind of wisdom doesn't come from above. It is earthly and selfish and comes from the devil himself.Select James 3:15

16Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things.Select James 3:16

17But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere.Select James 3:17

18When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.Select James 3:18