1901 American Standard Version (ASV)

James 3

1 We are not rashly or arrogantly to reprove others: 5 but rather to bridle the tongue, a little member, but a powerful instrument of much good, and great harm. 13 They who be truly wise be mild, and peaceable, without envying, and strife.

 3:1 ¶ Be not many [of you] teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

 3:2 For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

 3:3 Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.

 3:4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.

 3:5 So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

 3:6 And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.

 3:7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.

 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] a restless evil, [it is] full of deadly poison.

 3:9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

 3:10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

 3:11 Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet [water] and bitter?

 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither [can] salt water yield sweet.

 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.

 3:14 But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

 3:15 This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

 3:16 For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.

 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.

 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.