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Verse 1

Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.

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

Verse 2

For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to also control his whole body.

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Verse 3

Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Verse 4

Look also at the ships: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Verse 5

In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts of great things. Consider how a small fire sets a great forest ablaze.

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Verse 6

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting the entire course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue 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.

Verse 7

Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is tamed and has been tamed by mankind,

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

Verse 8

but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Verse 9

With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Verse 10

Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way.

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

Verse 11

Does a spring pour forth both sweet and bitter water from the same opening?

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

Verse 12

Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt spring yield fresh water.

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Verse 13

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works by his good conduct with the humility that comes from wisdom.

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Verse 14

But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and deny the truth.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

Verse 15

This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Verse 16

For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Verse 17

But the wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Verse 18

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

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

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Chapter 3
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