James 3
1 My brethren, be not many teachers, 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 all offend. If any one offend not in speech, the same is a perfect man, 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 For when we put the bits into the horses' mouths, that they may obey us, we turn about also 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 are so great, and driven by fierce winds, are yet turned about with a very small rudder, whithersoever the steersman chooseth.
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 also the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a forest 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! The tongue among our members is that which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of life, and is itself 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 every kind of beasts and of birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed and hath been tamed by 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 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 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men, who have been made after the likeness 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 from the same opening send forth sweet water and bitter?
A spring does not send out sweet and bitter water from the same opening, does it?
12 Can a fig-tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a vine, figs? Neither can salt water yield 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 wise and endued with knowledge among you P let him show out of a good course of conduct his works in 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 rivalry and strife in your hearts, do not glory and 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 descendeth from above, but earthly, sensual, devilish.
such ‘wisdom’ is not coming down from Above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For where there is rivalry and strife, 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 from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, 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 And 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.
