James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Nolite plures magistri fieri fratres mei, scientes quoniam maius iudicium sumitis.
2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
In multis enim offendimus omnes. Si quis in verbo non offendit: hic perfectus est vir. potest etiam freno circumducere totum corpus.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
Si autem equis frena in ora mittimus ad consentiendum nobis, et omne corpus illorum circumferimus.
4 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
Et ecce naves, cum magnae sint, et a ventis validis minentur: circumferuntur autem a modico gubernaculo ubi impetus dirigentis voluerit.
5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
Ita et lingua modicum quidem membrum est, et magna exaltat. Ecce quantus ignis quam magnam silvam incendit!
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
Et lingua ignis est, universitas iniquitatis. Lingua constituitur in membris nostris, quae maculat totum corpus, et inflammat rotam nativitatis nostrae inflammata a gehenna. (Geenna g1067)
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
Omnis enim natura bestiarum, et volucrum, et serpentium, et ceterorum domantur, et domita sunt a natura humana:
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
linguam autem nullus hominum domare potest: inquietum malum, plena veneno mortifero.
9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
In ipsa benedicimus Deum et Patrem: et in ipsa maledicimus homines, qui ad imaginem, et similitudinem Dei facti sunt.
10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
Ex ipso ore procedit benedictio, et maledictio. Non oportet, fratres mei, haec ita fieri.
11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
Numquid fons de eodem foramine emanat dulcem, et amaram aquam?
12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Numquid potest, fratres mei, ficus uvas facere, aut vitis ficus? Sic neque salsa dulcem potest facere aquam.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Quis sapiens, et disciplinatus inter vos? Ostendat ex bona conversatione operationem suam in mansuetudine sapientiae.
14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
Quod si zelum amarum habetis, et contentiones sint in cordibus vestris: nolite gloriari, et mendaces esse adversus veritatem.
15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
non est enim ista sapientia desursum descendens: sed terrena, animalis, diabolica.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
Ubi enim zelus et contentio: ibi inconstantia, et omne opus pravum.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
Quae autem desursum est sapientia, primum quidem pudica est, deinde pacifica, modesta, suadibilis, bonus consentiens, plena misericordia, et fructibus bonis, iudicans sine simulatione.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
Fructus autem iustitiae, in pace seminatur, facientibus pacem.
