< James 3 >

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive greater 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 we all stumble in many things. If any man does not stumble in word, this is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Behold we put bits into the mouths of horses for them to obey us, and we guide 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.
Behold also the ships, being so great and driven by fierce winds, are guided about by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse of the man who steers determines.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
So also the tongue is a little body-part, and boasts greatly. Behold a little fire, how much wood it kindles.
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 unrighteousness. Thus, the tongue is made to lead among our body-parts, defiling the whole body, and setting the cycle of nature on fire, and being 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 every species, both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human species.
8 But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
But no man is able to tame the tongue of men, 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.
By it we bless the God and Father, and by it we curse men, who were made according to a likeness 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 proceeds blessing and curse. My brothers, these things ought not to happen this way.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?
Does the spring pour out from the same opening the sweet and the 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.
A fig tree, my brothers, cannot make olives, or a grapevine figs. In the same way, no one spring makes water salty and 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 from his good behavior his works in meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
But if ye have bitter envy 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 descending from above, but is earthly, world-soul, demonic.
16 For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.
For where envy and selfish ambition are, there is instability 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 from above is indeed first pure, then peaceful, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and non-hypocritical.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to those who make peace.

< James 3 >