James 3 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that those of us who teach will be held to a stricter standard.

We all stumble in many ways. If someone never stumbles in what they say, that person has it together completely — they can keep their whole body in check too.

Think about it — we put bits in horses' mouths to make them obey us, and we can steer the whole animal.

Or look at ships — even though they're massive and driven by fierce winds, a tiny rudder steers them wherever the captain wants to go.

In the same way, the tongue is a tiny part of the body, but it makes massive claims. Think about how a small flame sets an entire forest on fire.

The tongue is a fire — a whole world of harm sitting right there among the parts of your body. It pollutes the entire person, sets the whole course of your life on fire, and is itself set on fire by the garbage dump.

Every kind of animal — wild beasts, birds, reptiles, sea creatures — has been tamed by humans and continues to be tamed.

But no one can tame the tongue. It's a restless source of harm, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise the Lord and Father, and with it we tear down people who are made in God's likeness.

Praise and destruction come pouring out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it shouldn't be this way.

Does a spring pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?

Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters? Can a grapevine produce figs? And a salt spring can't produce fresh water either.

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let them show it by living well — by actions done with the gentle strength that comes from wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about it and don't lie against what's true.

That kind of "wisdom" doesn't come from above — it's earthbound, purely human, even demonic.

Because wherever jealousy and selfish ambition exist, you'll find chaos and every kind of destructive behavior.

But the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure in motive, then peaceful, considerate, open to reason, overflowing with compassion and good results, without favoritism, and without pretense.

And the fruit that comes from living right is planted in peace by those who make peace.