The General Epistle of James

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 3 -

(Psalm 64:1–10)

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater condemnation.

For in many things we sinne all. If any man sinne not in word, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body.

Beholde, we put bittes into the horses mouthes, that they should obey vs, and we turne about all their bodie.

Behold also the shippes, which though they be so great, and are driuen of fierce windes, yet are they turned about with a very small rudder, whither soeuer the gouernour listeth.

Euen so the tongue is a litle member, and boasteth of great things: beholde, howe great a thing a litle fire kindleth.

And the tongue is fire, yea, a worlde of wickednesse: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.

For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed, and hath bene tamed of the nature of man.

But the tongue can no man tame. It is an vnruly euill, full of deadly poyson.

Therewith blesse we God euen the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Out of one mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Doeth a fountaine send forth at one place sweete water and bitter?

Can ye figge tree, my brethren, bring forth oliues, either a vine figges? so can no fountaine make both salt water and sweete.

The Wisdom from Above

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew by good conuersation his workes in meekenesse of wisdome.

But if ye haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts, reioyce not, neither be liars against the trueth.

This wisedome descendeth not from aboue, but is earthly, sensuall, and deuilish.

For where enuying and strife is, there is sedition, and all maner of euill workes.

But the wisedome that is from aboue, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easie to be intreated, full of mercie and good fruites, without iudging, and without hipocrisie.

And the fruite of righteousnesse is sowen in peace, of them that make peace.

(Psalm 64:1–10)

Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.

Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

Behold,(a) the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.(b)

For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;

but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.

Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

The Wisdom from Above

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Footnotes

(a)3:4 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

(b)3:6 or, Hell