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CHAP. III.

1 We are not rashly or arrogantly to reprooue others: 5 but rather to bridle the tongue, a little member, but a powerfull instrument of much good, and great harme. 13 They who be truely wise, be milde, and peaceable, without enuying, and strife.

¹ My brethren, bee not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater condemnation.¹

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.

³ Behold, we put bittes in the horses mouthes, that they may obey vs, and we turne about their whole body.

⁴ Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driuen of fierce windes, yet are they turned about with a very small helme, whithersoeuer the gouernour listeth.

⁵ Euen so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things: behold, how great a matter a litle fire kindleth.⁵

⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquitie: so is the tongue amongst our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.

⁷ For euery kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind.⁷

⁸ But the tongue can no man tame, it is an vnruly euill, ful of deadly poyson.

⁹ Therewith blesse wee God, euen the Father: and therewith curse wee men, which are made after the similitude of God.

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be.

¹¹ Doeth a fountaine send foorth at the same place sweet water and bitter?¹¹

¹² Can þ^e figtree, my brethren, beare oliue berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountaine both yeeld salt water & fresh.

¹³ Who is a wise man and indued with knowledge amongst you? let him shew out of a good conuersation his workes with meekenes of wisedome.

¹⁴ But if ye haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts glory not, and lie not against the trueth.

Pure wisedome.

¹⁵ This wisedome descendeth not from aboue, but is earthly, sensuall, deuilish.¹⁵

¹⁶ For where enuying and strife is, there is confusion, and euery euill worke.¹⁶

¹⁷ But the wisedome that is from aboue, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easie to be intreated, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partialitie, and without hypocrisie.¹⁷

¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousnesse is sowen in peace, of them that make peace.

James Chapter 3 Sidenote References (from Original 1611 KJV Bible):

¹ Or, iudgement.
⁵ Or, wood.
⁷ Gr. nature. , Gr. nature of man.
¹¹ Or, hole.
¹⁵ Or, natural
¹⁶ Gr. tumult or vnquietnesse.
¹⁷ Or, without wrangling.

* Courtesy of Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania