| 章 |
| 3:1 |
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.
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| 3:2 |
For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle thewhole body also.
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| 3:3 |
If we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we guide their whole bodies.
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| 3:4 |
Look at the ships also;though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudderwherever the will of the pilot directs.
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| 3:5 |
So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
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| 3:6 |
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell.
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| 3:7 |
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind,
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| 3:8 |
but no human being can tame the tongue -- a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
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| 3:9 |
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
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| 3:10 |
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so.
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| 3:11 |
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish?
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| 3:12 |
Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
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| 3:13 |
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
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| 3:14 |
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
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| 3:15 |
This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.
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| 3:16 |
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
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| 3:17 |
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, withoutuncertainty or insincerity.
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| 3:18 |
And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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