The TONGUE IS A FIRE

The TONGUE IS A FIRE

James 3:1 Not many of YOU should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. ² For we all stumble many times. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle also [his] whole body. ³ If we put bridles in the mouths of horses for them to obey us, we manage also their whole body. ⁴ Look! Even boats, although they are so big and are driven by hard winds, are steered by a very small rudder to where the inclination of the man at the helm wishes.

⁵ So, too, the tongue is a little member and yet makes great brags. Look! How little a fire it takes to set so great a woodland on fire! ⁶ Well, the tongue is a fire. The tongue is constituted a world of unrighteousness among our members, for it spots up all the body and sets the wheel of natural life aflame and it is set aflame by Ge·hen′na. ⁷ For every species of wild beast as well as bird and creeping thing and sea creature is to be tamed and has been tamed by humankind. ⁸ But the tongue, not one of mankind can get it tamed. An unruly injurious thing, it is full of death-dealing poison. ⁹ With it we bless Jehovah, even [the] Father, and yet with it we curse men who have come into existence “in the likeness of God.” ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing.

It is not proper, my brothers, for these things to go on occurring this way. ¹¹ A fountain does not cause the sweet and the bitter to bubble out of the same opening, does it? ¹² My brothers, a fig tree cannot produce olives or a vine figs, can it? Neither can salt water produce sweet water.

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among YOU? Let him show out of his fine conduct his works with a mildness that belongs to wisdom. ¹⁴ But if YOU have bitter jealousy and contentiousness in YOUR hearts, do not be bragging and lying against the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is [the] earthly, animal, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and contentiousness are, there disorder and every vile thing are.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical. ¹⁸ Moreover, the fruit of righteousness has its seed sown under peaceful conditions for those who are making peace