| 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. |
