James 3

1 He forbiddeth all ambition to seek honour above our brethren. 3 He describeth the property of the tongue, 15-16 And what difference there is betwixt the wisdom of God, and the wisdom of the world.
1.aMy brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2.For in many things we ^bsin all. *If any man sin not in cword, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body.
3.Behold, we put bits into the horses mouths that they should obey us, and we turn about all their body.
4.Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, & are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small rudder, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5.Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth of great things: behold, how great a ^thing a little fire kindleth.
6.And the tongue is fire, yea, a dworld of wickedness: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and esetteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.
7.For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed and hath been tamed of the nature of man.
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 one mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11.Doth a fountain send forth at one place sweet water and bitter?
12.Can the fig tree, my brethren, bring forth olives, other a vine figs? so can no fountain make both salt water & sweet.
13.Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew by good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom.
14.But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, rejoice not, neither be liars against the truth.
15.This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish.
16.For where envying and strife is, there is sedition, and all manner of evil works.
17.But the wisdom that is from above, is first fpure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits without gjudging, and without hypocrisy.
18.And the hfruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them that make peace.

Notes

1-a.
Usurp not through ambition authority over your brethren.
2-*.
Eccle. 14.1 & 19.16 & 25.8
2-^.
Or, stumble
2-b.
He that well considers himself, shall not be rigorous toward his brethren.
2-c.
He that is able to moderate his tongue, hath attained to an excellent virtue.
5-^.
Or, matter
6-d.
An heap and full measure of all iniquity.
6-e.
The intemperateness of the tongue is as a flame of hellfire.
17-f.
Without mixtion and dissimulation.
17-g.
And examining things with extreme rigor as hypocrites, who only justify themselves, and condemn all others.
18-h.
So that their life is according to their profession.