| Chapter 3 |
| 1 | My brethren, be not many
masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. |
| 2 |
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. |
| 3 | Behold, we put
bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their
whole body. |
| 4
| 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. |
| 5 | Even so the tongue is a little
member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire
kindleth! |
| 6
| 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. |
| 7 | 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: |
| 8 | But the tongue can no man tame;
it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. |
|
9 | Therewith bless we God,
even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God. |
| 10 | Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing
and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. |
| 11 | Doth a
fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? |
| 12 | Can
the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no
fountain both yield salt water and fresh. |
|
13 | 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. |
| 14 | But if ye have bitter envying
and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. |
| 15 |
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
|
| 16 | For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil
work. |
| 17 |
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. |
|
18 | And the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. |
