James 3
1 My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 For in many things we all offend. If any man offendeth not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in words, he is a perfect man, able to control even his whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the mouths of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Now if we put bits into horses' mouths for them to obey us, we can also direct their whole bodies.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and [are] driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor willeth.
Notice also that ships, although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, are steered by a very small rudder to wherever the pilot desires.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Likewise the tongue is a small body part, yet it boasts great things. Notice also how small a fire sets on fire a large forest.
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 from hell. (Geenna g1067)
The tongue is also a fire, a world of sinfulness set among our body parts. It stains the whole body and sets on fire the course of life. It is itself set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of animals in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:
For every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is being tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
8 But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With this we bless God, even the Father; and with this we curse men, who are made after the similitude of God.
With it we praise the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, 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 come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not happen.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?
Does a spring pour out from its opening both sweet and bitter water?
12 Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? or a vine, figs? so no fountain [can] yield both salt water and fresh.
Does a fig tree, my brothers, make olives? Or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salty water produce sweet water.
13 Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by a good deportment his works with meekness of wisdom.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let that person show a good life by his works in the humility of wisdom.
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 jealousy and ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, demoniacal.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.
For where there are jealousy and ambition, there is confusion and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace.
The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace.
