| 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. |
