| Chapter 3 |
1 | My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
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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.
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3 | Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
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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.
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5 | Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
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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.
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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:
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8 | But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
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9 | Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
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10 | Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
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11 | Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?
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12 | Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
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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.
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14 | But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
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15 | This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish.
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16 | For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.
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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.
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18 | And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
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