James 3

1Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.Cross-references: Lev 10:3 · Ezek 3:17 · Ezek 33:7 · Mal 2:12 · Matt 7:1 · Matt 9:11 · +20 more

2For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.Cross-references: 1Ki 8:46 · 2Chr 6:36 · Ps 34:13 · Prov 13:3 · Prov 20:9 · Eccl 7:20 · +17 more

3Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.Cross-references: 2Ki 19:28 · Ps 32:9 · Ps 39:1 · Isa 37:29 · James 1:26

4Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.Cross-references: Ps 107:25 · Jonah 1:4 · Matt 8:24 · Acts 27:14

5So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!Cross-references: Ex 5:2 · Ex 15:9 · 2Ki 19:22 · Job 21:14 · Job 22:17 · Ps 10:3 · +16 more

6And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.Cross-references: Gen 3:4 · Lev 24:11 · Num 25:2 · Num 31:16 · Deut 13:6 · Judg 12:4 · +52 more

7For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;Cross-references: Mark 5:4

8but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.Cross-references: Deut 32:33 · Ps 55:21 · Ps 57:4 · Ps 58:4 · Ps 59:7 · Ps 64:3 · +5 more

9With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.Cross-references: Gen 1:26 · Gen 5:1 · Gen 9:6 · Judg 9:27 · 2Sam 16:5 · 2Sam 19:21 · +26 more

10Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.Cross-references: Gen 20:9 · 2Sam 13:12 · Ps 50:16 · Jer 7:4 · Mic 3:11 · Rom 12:14 · +3 more

11Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

12Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.Cross-references: Ex 15:23 · 2Ki 2:19 · Isa 5:2 · Jer 2:21 · Ezek 47:8 · Matt 7:16 · +3 more

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.Cross-references: Num 12:3 · 2Chr 2:12 · Job 28:28 · Ps 25:9 · Ps 45:4 · Ps 107:43 · +38 more

14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.Cross-references: Gen 30:1 · Gen 37:11 · 2Ki 10:16 · 2Ki 10:31 · Job 5:2 · Prov 14:30 · +32 more

15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.Cross-references: Gen 3:1 · 2Sam 13:3 · 2Sam 15:31 · 2Sam 16:23 · Jer 4:22 · Luke 16:8 · +24 more

16For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.Cross-references: Gen 11:9 · Acts 19:29 · 1Cor 3:3 · 1Cor 14:33 · Gal 5:20 · James 3:14 · +1 more

17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.Cross-references: Gen 41:38 · Ex 36:2 · 1Ki 3:9 · 1Ki 3:12 · 1Ki 3:28 · 1Chr 22:9 · +52 more

18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.Cross-references: Prov 11:18 · Prov 11:28 · Prov 11:30 · Isa 32:16 · Hos 10:12 · Amos 6:12 · +6 more