James 3
1 Let not many become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive [a] greater judgment. 2 For we all stumble [in] many [things]. If anyone does not stumble in word, this is [a] complete1 man, able to bridle even the whole body. 3 And if we put bridles into the mouths of horses so that they are obeying us, even the[ir] whole body we direct. 4 And behold the ship, being so great and by violent winds being driven, it is directed by the exceedingly small rudder where the impulse of the [one] directing wishes. 5 Likewise also the tongue is [a] small member and boasts great [things], behold how small [a] fire kindles so great [a] forest. 6 And the tongue is a fire, the world of injustice! The tongue is appointed in our members [as] the [one] staining the whole body and being set on fire the circle of generation, and is set on fire by Gehenna2 . 7 For all nature of wild-beasts, and also of flying [things], creeping [things], and also [things] of the sea, are tamed and have been tamed by human nature, 8 but the tongue no one of men is able to tame. [It is an] unstable evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and father, and with it we curse men having been made according to the image of God. 10 Out of the same mouth comes praise and curse. It is not fitting, my brothers, [that] these [things] be. 11 Does [a] spring out of the same hole gush forth the sweet and the bitter?3 12 Is [a] fig tree able, my brothers, to produce olives or [a] vine figs?4 Neither [is] salt water [able] to produce sweet. 13 Whoever [is] wise and knowing among you, let5 him show by his good conduct his works in gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and self-seeking in your heart, be not boasting and lying against the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but [is] earthly, psyche-life-ish6 , demoniac. 16 For where [there is] jealousy and self-seeking, here [is] instability and all worthless [things]. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure indeed, then peaceable, fair, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty, unhypocritcal. 18 But [the] fruit of justice in peace is sown by those doing peace.1or "perfect"
2"Gehenna" (γεεννα) was a garbage dump outside of Jerusalem that was perpetually on fire.
3grammer indicates "no" answer expected or expresses uncertainty
4grammer indicates "no" answer expected or expresses uncertainty
5imperative
6from PSYCHE (ψυχη): an individual manifestation of life/consciousness. Animals have PSYCHEs as well as humans. Contrast ZOE (ζωη)—Life 'collectively', interdependent, interconnected.