James 3 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

Taming the Tongue

Jas 3:1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Jas 3:2

Jas 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

Jas 3:3

Jas 3:3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

Jas 3:4

Jas 3:4Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

Jas 3:5

Jas 3:5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

Jas 3:6

Jas 3:6And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[fn] and set on fire by hell.[fn]

Jas 3:7

Jas 3:7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,

Jas 3:8

Jas 3:8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Jas 3:9

Jas 3:9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

Jas 3:10

Jas 3:10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[fn] these things ought not to be so.

Jas 3:11

Jas 3:11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?

Jas 3:12

Jas 3:12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Wisdom from Above

Jas 3:13

Jas 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Jas 3:14

Jas 3:14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

Jas 3:15

Jas 3:15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Jas 3:16

Jas 3:16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Jas 3:17

Jas 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Jas 3:18

Jas 3:18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

See the ESV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

ESV Footnotes

(3:6)

Or wheel of birth

(3:6)

Greek Gehenna

(3:10)

Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12

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