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James 3
Revised Geneva Translation
James 3
Revised Geneva Translation
3 My brothers, do not let many of you become instructors, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we all sin. If anyone does not sin in word, he is a perfect man and able to bridle his whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us. And we direct their whole body.
4 Also, behold the ships. Though they are so great and are driven by fierce winds, they are still directed with a very small rudder, wherever the helmsman wishes.
5 Even so the tongue is a small member and boasts of great things. Behold how great a thing a little fire kindles.
6 And the tongue is fire, a world of wickedness. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature. And it is set on fire by hell.
7 For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed (and has been tamed) by mankind.
8 But no one can tame the tongue - an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless God, even the Father. And with it we curse man, who is made in the image of God.
10 Out of one mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a fountain send forth sweet and bitter in the same place?
12 Can the fig tree, my brothers, bring forth olives; or a vine, figs? So can no fountain make both saltwater and sweet.
13 Who is wise among you and endowed with knowledge? Let him show the good behavior of his works in the gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, do not boast. And do not be liars against the truth.
15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
16 For where there is envying and strife, there is upheaval, and all kinds of evil works.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3
New International Version
James 3
New International Version
Taming the Tongue
3 Not many of you should become teachers,(A) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged(B) more strictly.(C) 2 We all stumble(D) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say(E) is perfect,(F) able to keep their whole body in check.(G)
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.(H) 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.(I) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire,(J) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,(K) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.(L)
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.(M)
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.(N) 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?(O) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it(P) by their good life, by deeds(Q) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition(R) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.(S) 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven(T) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.(U) 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition,(V) there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(W) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(X) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(Y) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(Z) 18 Peacemakers(AA) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(AB)
Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)
© 2019 by Five Talents Audio
New International Version (NIV) 
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