James 3

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that 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
ℵ ⟨For behold⟩
, we put bits in the horses' mouths
A ⟨mouth⟩
, 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
ℵBA2 ⟨fire, how much wood it⟩
 kindleth!
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.
ℵ ⟨The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity is the tongue amongst our members, both defiling the whole body, and setting on fire the course of our nature, and is set on fire of hell.⟩; BA ⟨And the tongue is a fire; a world of iniquity is the tongue amongst our members, defiling the whole body, and setting on fire the course of the nature, and is set on fire of hell.⟩
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and
A omit
 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
ℵBA ⟨unstable⟩
 evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God
ℵBA ⟨the Lord⟩
, 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
ℵ ⟨so neither can salt water yield⟩; BA ⟨neither can salt water yield⟩
 fresh.
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.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth
ℵ ⟨boast not against the truth and lie not⟩
.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there
ℵA ⟨there also⟩
 is confusion and every evil work.
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
ℵBA omit
 without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 2
James 4
About the Pointing

The text of the Coverdale Psalter follows the 1928 American Book of Common Prayer. The pointing, suitably adapted, is taken from Charles Macpherson, Edward C. Bairstow, and Percy C. Buck, The English Psalter (Novello & Co., 1925).