雅各書 3
1 我的弟兄們，不要多人作師傅，因為曉得我們要受更重的判斷。
I do not want many of you, my Brothers, to become teachers, knowing, as you do, that we who teach shall be judged by a more severe standard than others.
2 原來我們在許多事上都有過失；若有人在話語上沒有過失，他就是完全人，也能勒住自己的全身。
We often make mistakes, every one of us. Any one who does not make mistakes when speaking is indeed a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body as well.
3 我們若把嚼環放在馬嘴裏，叫牠順服，就能調動牠的全身。
When we put bits into horses’ mouths, to make them obey us, we control the rest of their bodies so.
4 看哪，船隻雖然甚大，又被大風催逼，只用小小的舵，就隨着掌舵的意思轉動。
Again, think of ships. Large as they are, and even when driven by fierce winds, they are controlled by a very small rudder and steered in whatever direction the man at the helm may determine.
5 這樣，舌頭在百體裏也是最小的，卻能說大話。 看哪，最小的火能點着最大的樹林。
So is it with the tongue. Small as it is, it is a great boaster. Think how tiny a spark may set the largest forest ablaze!
And the tongue is like a spark. Among the members of our body it proves itself a very world of mischief; it contaminates the whole body; it sets the wheels of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by the flames of the Pit. (Geenna g1067)
7 各類的走獸、飛禽、昆蟲、水族，本來都可以制伏，也已經被人制伏了；
For while all sorts of beasts and birds, and of reptiles and creatures in the sea, are tameable, and actually have been tamed by man,
8 惟獨舌頭沒有人能制伏，是不止息的惡物，滿了害死人的毒氣。
no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless plague! It is charged with deadly poison!
9 我們用舌頭頌讚那為主、為父的，又用舌頭咒詛那照着上帝形像被造的人。
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made ‘in God’s likeness.’
10 頌讚和咒詛從一個口裏出來！我的弟兄們，這是不應當的！
From the very same mouth come blessings and curses! My Brothers, it is not right that this should be so.
11 泉源從一個眼裏能發出甜苦兩樣的水嗎？
Does a spring give both good and bad water from the same source?
12 我的弟兄們，無花果樹能生橄欖嗎？葡萄樹能結無花果嗎？鹹水裏也不能發出甜水來。
Can a fig tree, my Brothers, bear olives? or a vine bear figs? No, nor can a brackish well give good water.
13 你們中間誰是有智慧有見識的呢？他就當在智慧的溫柔上顯出他的善行來。
Who among you claims to be wise and intelligent? Let him show that his actions are the outcome of a good life lived in the humility of true wisdom.
14 你們心裏若懷着苦毒的嫉妒和紛爭，就不可自誇，也不可說謊話抵擋真道。
But, while you harbour envy and bitterness and a spirit of rivalry in your hearts, do not boast or lie to the detriment of the Truth.
15 這樣的智慧不是從上頭來的，乃是屬地的，屬情慾的，屬鬼魔的。
That is not the wisdom which comes from above; no, it is earthly, animal, devilish.
16 在何處有嫉妒、紛爭，就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。
For, where envy and rivalry exist, there you will also find disorder and all kinds of base actions.
17 惟獨從上頭來的智慧，先是清潔，後是和平，溫良柔順，滿有憐憫，多結善果，沒有偏見，沒有假冒。
But the wisdom from above is, before every thing else, pure; then peace-loving, gentle, open to conviction, rich in compassion and good deeds, and free from partiality and insincerity.
18 並且使人和平的，是用和平所栽種的義果。
And righteousness, its fruit, is sown in peace by those who work for peace.
