Jacob 3
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
2 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.
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 Now if we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we guide their whole body.
Consider, we put bits in horses' mouths for them to obey us, and we guide their whole body.
4 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.
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 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest.
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. 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)
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 all kinds of animals, and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, are being tamed and have been tamed by humankind.
Every kind of animal and bird, reptile and sea creature, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race,
8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
but no one among men is able to tame the tongue—an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the image 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 comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and curses. My brothers, these things should not be that way.
11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
A spring does not send out sweet and bitter water from the same opening, does it?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Nor is salt water able to produce sweet.
Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grape vine figs? Thus no spring yields salt water and sweet.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness 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 you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and do not lie 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 is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
such ‘wisdom’ is not coming down from Above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
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 peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, 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 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Now the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace by those making peace.
