James 3 :: Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

The Tongue Is a Fire

Do not, many^G4183 of you, become^G1096 teachers^G1320, my brothers^G80, knowing^G6063 that we will receive^G2983 a [fn]stricter^G3173 judgment^G2917.

Jas 3:2

Jas 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in [fn]what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the entire body as well.

Jas 3:3

Jas 3:3Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

Jas 3:4

Jas 3:4Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wills.

Jas 3:5

Jas 3:5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

Behold how^G2245 great^G2245 a forest^G5208 is set^G381 aflame^G381 by such^G2245 a^G2245 small^G2245 fire^G4442!

Jas 3:6

Jas 3:6And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our [fn]existence, and is set on fire by [fn]hell.

Jas 3:7

Jas 3:7For every kind of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

Jas 3:8

Jas 3:8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

Jas 3:9

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

Jas 3:10

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

Jas 3:11

Jas 3:11Does a fountain pour forth from the same opening [fn]fresh and bitter water?

Jas 3:12

Jas 3:12Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can saltwater produce [fn]fresh.

Wisdom from Above

Jas 3:13

Who^G5101 among^G1722 you is wise^G4680 and understanding^G1990? Let him show^G1166 by his good^G2570 conduct^G391 his works^G2041 in the gentleness^G4240 of wisdom^G4678.

Jas 3:14

Jas 3:14But if you have bitter jealousy and [fn]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

Jas 3:15

Jas 3:15This wisdom is not coming down from above, but is earthly, [fn]natural, demonic.

Jas 3:16

Jas 3:16For where jealousy and [fn]selfish ambition exist, [fn]there is disorder and every evil practice.

Jas 3:17

Jas 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruits, without doubting, without hypocrisy.

Jas 3:18