The General Epistle of James

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 3 -

(Psalm 64:1–10)

Not many people should become teachers, my brothers. We know that we will receive more severe judgment.

For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in words, he is a fully developed man, able to control even his whole body.

Now if we put bits into horses’ mouths for them to obey us, we can also direct their whole bodies.

Notice also that ships, although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, are steered by a very small rudder to wherever the pilot desires.

Likewise the tongue is a small body part, yet it boasts great things. Notice also how small a fire sets on fire a large forest.

The tongue is also a fire, a world of sinfulness set among our body parts. It stains the whole body and sets on fire the course of life. It is itself set on fire by hell.

For every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is being tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

But as for the tongue, no one among man is able to tame it. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we praise the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not happen.

Does a spring pour out from its opening both sweet and bitter water?

Does a fig tree, my brothers, make olives? Or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salty water produce sweet water.

The Wisdom from Above

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let that person show a good life by his works in the humility of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.

This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

For where there are jealousy and ambition, there is confusion and every evil practice.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, responsive, full of mercy and good fruit, unweakening, and sincere.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace.

(Psalm 64:1–10)

Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.

Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

Behold,(a) the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.(b)

For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;

but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.

Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

The Wisdom from Above

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Footnotes

(a)3:4 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

(b)3:6 or, Hell