Jam 3 | NASB2020 | STEP | Do not become teachers in large numbers , my brothers , since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment .

James 3

The Tongue Is a Fire

1 ^aDo not become teachers in large numbers, ^bmy brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a ^{▼▼Or greater condemnation; i.e., for erroneous doctrine}stricter judgment. 2 For we all ^dstumble in many ways. ^eIf anyone does not stumble in ^{▼▼Lit word}what he says, he is a ^gperfect man, able to ^{▼▼Or hold in check
,} ⁱrein in the whole body as well. 3 Now ^jif we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. 4 Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it ^kboasts of great things.

^lSee how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And ^mthe tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among ^{▼▼Lit our parts}our body’s parts as that which ^odefiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our ^{▼▼Or existence, origin}life, and is set on fire by ^{▼▼Gr Gehenna
,} ^rhell. 7 For every ^{▼▼Lit nature}species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human ^{▼▼Lit nature}race. 8 But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of ^udeadly poison. 9 With it we bless ^vour Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, ^wwho have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both ^{▼▼Lit sweet}fresh and bitter water? 12 ^yCan a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce ^{▼▼Lit sweet}fresh.

Wisdom from Above

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? ^aaLet him show by his ^abgood behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter ^acjealousy and ^{▼▼Or strife}selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against ^aethe truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down ^affrom above, but is ^agearthly, ^{▼▼Or unspiritual
,} ^ainatural, ^ajdemonic. 16 For where ^akjealousy and ^{▼▼Or strife}selfish ambition exist, ^{▼▼I.e., in that place}there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom ^anfrom above is first ^aopure, then ^appeace-loving, ^aqgentle, ^{▼▼Or willing to yield}reasonable, ^asfull of mercy and good fruits, ^{▼▼Or unwavering
,} ^auimpartial, free of ^avhypocrisy. 18 And the ^awfruit of righteousness is sown in peace ^{▼▼Or for}by those who make peace.