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James 3 :: Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Jas 3:1Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.
Jas 3:2For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
Jas 3:3If we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we guide their whole bodies.
Jas 3:4Look at the ships also; though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
Jas 3:5So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
Jas 3:6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell.
Jas 3:7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind,
Jas 3:8but no human being can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Jas 3:9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
Jas 3:10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so.
Jas 3:11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish?
Jas 3:12Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Wisdom from Above

Jas 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
Jas 3:14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
Jas 3:15This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.
Jas 3:16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Jas 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.
Jas 3:18And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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Source: Transcribed from: The Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version containing the Old and New Testaments, translated from the original tongues: being the version set forth A.D. 1611, revised A.D. 1881-1885 and A.D. 1901: compared with the most ancient authorities and revised A.D. 1946-52. — 2nd ed. of New Testament A.D. 1971. There should be enough in the rest of the description to identify the text.

Language: English

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Pericope

Pericope taken from the NASB95 and has been graciously provided by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible
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by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif.
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James Chapter 3 — Additional Translations: