James 3
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
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.
For in many things we all stumble. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Now if we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we guide 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.
And look at the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest.
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. (Geenna g1067)
And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
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:
For all kinds of animals, and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, are being tamed and have been tamed by humankind.
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we YHWH, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of YHWH.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the image of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Nor is salt water able to produce sweet.
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.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and do not lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
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.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
