Jacob 3
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
My friends, not many of you should become teachers, because you know that we who teach will have a heavier responsibility in the 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.
All of us make mistakes in many ways. Anyone who doesn't make mistakes in what they say is truly a good person who can keep the whole body under control.
3 Now if we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we guide their whole body.
We put bridles into the mouths of horses so that they'll obey us, and we can direct them wherever we want.
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.
Look at ships as well: even though they're very big and are driven along by strong winds, they're steered by a very small rudder in the direction the pilot wants to go.
5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest.
In just the same way the tongue is a very small part of the body, but it makes great boasts! Think how a big forest can be set on fire by a very small flame!
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 tongue is a world of evil among the parts of the body. It disgraces all you are as a person, and can burn down the whole of your life, since it is set on fire by Gehenna. (Geenna g1067)
7 For all kinds of animals, and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, are being tamed and have been tamed by humankind.
People have tamed all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures,
8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
but no one can tame the tongue—it's an evil thing, hard to control, 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.
We use the same tongue to bless our Lord and Father, as well as to curse people who are made in God's image—
10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
blessings and curses come from the same mouth! Friends, it shouldn't be this way!
11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Does a spring send both sweet and bitter water out of the same opening?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Nor is salt water able to produce sweet.
My friends, a fig tree can't produce olives, and a vine can't produce figs, any more than a salt water spring can produce fresh water!
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 among you has wisdom and understanding? Let their good lives demonstrate what they do—doing what is right with wise kindness and consideration.
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 jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast about it and don't lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
This kind of “wisdom” doesn't come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition you'll also find confusion and all kinds of evil practices.
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.
However, wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, and it also brings peace. It is kind and open to reason. It is full of mercy and produces good things. It is genuine and not hypocritical.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Those who sow peace will harvest the peace of what is truly good and right.
