James:3
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My brethren ,
let not many of you become teachers ,
knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment .
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For we all stumble in many things .
If anyone does not stumble in word ,
he is a perfect man ,
able also to bridle the whole body .
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Indeed ,
we put bits in horses '
mouths that they may obey us ,
and we turn their whole body .
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Look also at ships :
although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds ,
they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires .
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Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things .
See how great a forest a little fire kindles !
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And the tongue is a fire ,
a world of iniquity .
The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body ,
and sets on fire the course of nature ;
and it is set on fire by hell .
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For every kind of beast and bird ,
of reptile and creature of the sea ,
is tamed and has been tamed by mankind .
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But no man can tame the tongue .
It is an unruly evil ,
full of deadly poison .
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With it we bless our God and Father ,
and with it we curse men ,
who have been made in the similitude of God .
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Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing .
My brethren ,
these things ought not to be so .
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Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening ?
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Can a fig tree ,
my brethren ,
bear olives ,
or a grapevine bear figs ?
Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh .
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Who is wise and understanding among you ?
Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom .
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But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts ,
do not boast and lie against the truth .
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This wisdom does not descend from above ,
but is earthly ,
sensual ,
demonic .
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For where envy and self-seeking exist ,
confusion and every evil thing are there .
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But the wisdom that is from above is first pure ,
then peaceable ,
gentle ,
willing to yield ,
full of mercy and good fruits ,
without partiality and without hypocrisy .
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Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace .