3:1  My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

3:2  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.

3:3  Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.

3:4  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.

3:5  Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

3:6  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.

3:7  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

3:8  But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

3:9  With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

3:10  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

3:11  Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

3:12  Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

3:13  Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

3:14  But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

3:15  This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

3:16  For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

3:17  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.

3:18  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.