| Chapter 3 |
1 | Be not many [of you] teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
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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.
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3 | Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
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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.
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5 | So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
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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.
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7 | For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.
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8 | But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] a restless evil, [it is] full of deadly poison.
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9 | Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:
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10 | out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
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11 | Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet [water] and bitter?
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12 | Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither [can] salt water yield sweet.
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13 | Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.
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14 | But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.
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15 | This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
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16 | For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.
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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.
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18 | And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.
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