KING JAMES VERSION
JAMES, CHAPTER 3
1. We are not rashly or arrogantly to reprove others: 5. but rather to bridle the tongue, a little member, but a powerful instrument of much good, and great harm.13. They who are truly wise are mild and peaceable without envying and strife.
Jam 3:1 MY brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Jam 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Jam 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Jam 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Jam 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Jam 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Jam 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
Jam 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Jam 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Jam 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Jam 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Jam 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Jam 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.*
[Note: The word ‘Conversation’ in the KJV usually renders the Greek word ἀναστροφή (anastrophē); The word “Conversation” comes from the Latin ‘conversatio’, which means companionship or way of life and was used in this sense in early modern English. The word ‘Conversation’ in the KJV Bible is defined in 1 Peter 3:1–4, James 3:13 and Philippians 1:27 as something that can be SEEN and therefore does not mean conversation, but rather way of life, behaviour, or manner of living. This is also confirmed in Webster's Dictionary 1828, where the word ‘Conversation’ is first defined as: ‘General rules of social conduct; behaviour; manners; especially in relation to morality.’ – In Philippians 3:20, the word ‘Conversation’ is used to render another Greek word: πολίτευμα (politeuma) – citizenship, social affiliation, life governed by a kingdom, in the sense of our way of life as citizens of another kingdom, i.e. heaven: ‘For our conversation is in heaven...’ (Phil. 3:20). – When the KJV Bible was translated in 1604–1611, the translators chose to follow the usage of the time and therefore translated the word ‘conversation’ correctly. The modern meaning (‘talk, conversation’) is a later development.]
Jam 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Jam 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jam 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.