James 3
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter 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.
Because we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, being able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Consider, we put bits in horses' mouths for them to obey us, and 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.
Consider also the ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the pilot may desire.
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 small member and boasts great things. Just look at how great a forest a little fire can kindle!
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 organization of wickedness, that is how the tongue is placed among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of life, itself 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:
Every kind of animal and bird, reptile and sea creature, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race,
8 But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
but no one among men is able to tame the tongue—an uncontrollable 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.
With it we bless God and Father, and with it we curse the people who have been made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and curses. My brothers, these things should not be that way.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?
A spring does not send out sweet and bitter water from the same opening, does it?
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, bear olives, or a grape vine figs? Thus no spring yields salt water 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 exhibit his works in the meekness of wisdom, by his good way of life.
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 envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth—
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish.
such ‘wisdom’ is not coming down from Above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.
Because where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is unruliness and every foul practice.
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.
In contrast, the wisdom from Above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Now the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace by those making peace.
