The Skeptics Annotated Bible (977 page)

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!

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.

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:

(3.7) “Every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind.” James says that, even in his day, all beasts, birds, serpents, and sea creatures had been tamed by humans.

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 shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

(3.13) “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.

(3.14)
“If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
86 Is it OK to lie?

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 intreated, 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.

(3.18) “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

4
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss
, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

(4.3)
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss.”
If your prayers are not answered, it’s your own damned fault.

4
Ye adulterers and adulteresses
, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?
whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

(4.4)
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses … Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”