---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: James from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 3
verse_count: 18
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), James, chap. 3, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# James 3

*Of care, in speech Tongue, to be bridled The truly wise are pure, peaceable and gentle.*

**1** My brethren, strive not for the mastery, knowing that in so doing we shall receive the greater condemnation.
**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 bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
**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.
**5** Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! I
**6** And the tongue is a fire, 8 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.
**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;
**8** But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
**9** Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we 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** Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
**12** Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
**13** Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
**14** But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
**15** This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
**16** For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
**17** But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
**18** And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.