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James 3

Holman Christian Standard Bible, 2009 (HCSB)

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¹ Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, ⓐ

² for we all stumble in many ways. ⓑ If anyone does not stumble in what he says, [1] he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. [2] ⓒ

³ Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, ⓓ we also guide the whole animal. [3]

⁴ And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

⁵ So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. ⓔ Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites.

⁶ And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, ⓕ sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.

⁷ Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man,

⁸ but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⓖ

⁹ We praise our [4] Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. ⓗ

¹⁰ Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way.

¹¹ Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening?

¹² Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

¹³ Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. ⓘ

¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. ⓙ

¹⁵ Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ⓚ

¹⁶ For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. ⓛ

¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness ⓜ is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

#	HCSB
1	Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, ⓐ
2	for we all stumble in many ways. ⓑ If anyone does not stumble in what he says, [1] he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. [2] ⓒ
3	Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, ⓓ we also guide the whole animal. [3]
4	And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5	So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. ⓔ Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites.
6	And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, ⓕ sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.
7	Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man,
8	but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⓖ
9	We praise our [4] Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. ⓗ
10	Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way.
11	Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening?
12	Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
13	Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. ⓘ
14	But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. ⓙ
15	Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ⓚ
16	For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.
17	But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. ⓛ
18	And the fruit of righteousness ⓜ is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

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