James 3
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater condemnation.
Not many of you should become teachers, my friends, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly than others.
2 For in many things we sinne all. If any man sinne not in word, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body.
We often make mistakes, every one of us. Anyone who does not make mistakes when speaking is indeed a perfect person, able to bridle their whole body as well.
3 Beholde, we put bittes into the horses mouthes, that they should obey vs, and we turne about all their bodie.
When we put bits into horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we change their course the rest of their bodies.
4 Behold also the shippes, which though they be so great, and are driuen of fierce windes, yet are they turned about with a very small rudder, whither soeuer the gouernour listeth.
Again, think of ships. Large as they are, and even when driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder and steered in whatever direction the man at the helm may determine.
5 Euen so the tongue is a litle member, and boasteth of great things: beholde, howe great a thing a litle fire kindleth.
So is it with the tongue. Small as it is, it is a great boaster. Think how a tiny spark may set the largest forest ablaze!
6 And the tongue is fire, yea, a worlde of wickednesse: so is the tongue set 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. (Geenna g1067)
And the tongue is like a spark. It is a world of unrighteousness among the parts of our body. It contaminates the whole body; it sets the whole course of our existence on fire, and is itself set on fire by the flames of Gehenna. (Geenna g1067)
7 For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed, and hath bene tamed of the nature of man.
For while all kinds of animals, birds and reptiles and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed by humans,
8 But the tongue can no man tame. It is an vnruly euill, full of deadly poyson.
no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless plague! It is charged with deadly poison!
9 Therewith blesse we God euen the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made “in God’s likeness.”
10 Out of one mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be.
From the very same mouth come blessings and curses! My friends, it is not right that this should be so.
11 Doeth a fountaine send forth at one place sweete water and bitter?
Does a spring give both good and bad water from the same source?
12 Can ye figge tree, my brethren, bring forth oliues, either a vine figges? so can no fountaine make both salt water and sweete.
Can a fig tree, my friends, bear olives? Or a vine bear figs? No, nor can a brackish well give good water.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew by good conuersation his workes in meekenesse of wisdome.
Who among you claims to be wise and intelligent? They should show that their actions are the outcome of a good life lived in the humility of true wisdom.
14 But if ye haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts, reioyce not, neither be liars against the trueth.
But if you harbour bitter envy and a spirit of rivalry in your hearts, do not boast or deny the truth.
15 This wisedome descendeth not from aboue, but is earthly, sensuall, and deuilish.
That is not the wisdom which comes from above; no, it is earthly, animalistic, demonic.
16 For where enuying and strife is, there is sedition, and all maner of euill workes.
For where envy and rivalry exist, there you will also find disorder and all kinds of bad, worthless actions.
17 But the wisedome that is from aboue, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easie to be intreated, full of mercie and good fruites, without iudging, and without hipocrisie.
But the wisdom from above is, before everything else, pure; then peace-loving, gentle, open to conviction, rich in compassion and good deeds, and free from partiality and insincerity.
18 And the fruite of righteousnesse is sowen in peace, of them that make peace.
Justice is the harvest peacemakers will reap from seeds sown in a spirit of peace.
