James 3

1My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers. You know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

2We all make many mistakes. If anyone never says anything wrong, that person is mature and able to control their whole body.

3When we put a bit into a horse's mouth to make it obey us, we can turn the whole animal.

4Or think of ships. Even though they are large and pushed by strong winds, a very small rudder steers them wherever the pilot wants to go.

5In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it brags about great things. Think how a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire!

6The tongue is like a fire. Among the parts of the body, the tongue is a whole world of evil. It dirties the whole person, sets a person's whole life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7People have tamed every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature, and they keep on taming them.

8But no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with the same tongue we curse people, who are made to be like God.

10Praise and curses come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

11Can fresh water and bitter water flow from the same spring?

12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine grow figs? No. And salty water cannot give fresh water either.

13Who among you is wise and understanding? Let that person show it by a good life, by doing good things with the humility that comes from wisdom.

14But if your hearts are full of bitter jealousy and selfishness, do not brag about it or deny the truth.

15That kind of "wisdom" does not come from heaven. It is earthly, unspiritual, and from the devil.

16For wherever there is jealousy and selfishness, there is trouble and every kind of evil.

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. Then it is peace-loving, gentle, and willing to give in. It is full of mercy and good deeds, fair, and honest.

18People who make peace plant seeds of peace and harvest a life that is right with God.