James 3
1 Many teachers become not, my brethren, having known that greater judgment we shall receive,
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 for we all make many stumbles; if any one in word doth not stumble, this one [is] a perfect man, able to bridle also 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 lo, the bits we put into the mouths of the horses for their obeying us, and their whole body we turn about;
Now if we put bits into horses' mouths for them to obey us, we can also direct their whole bodies.
4 lo, also the ships, being so great, and by fierce winds being driven, are led about by a very small helm, whithersoever the impulse of the helmsman doth counsel,
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 so also the tongue is a little member, and doth boast greatly; lo, a little fire how much wood it doth kindle!
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, the world of the unrighteousness, so the tongue is set in our members, which is spotting our whole body, and is setting on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by the gehenna. (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 nature, both of beasts and of fowls, both of creeping things and things of the sea, is subdued, and hath been subdued, by the human nature,
For every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is being tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
8 and the tongue no one of men is able to subdue, [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 it we do bless the God and Father, and with it we do curse the men made according to 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 doth come forth blessing and cursing; it doth not need, my brethren, these things so to happen;
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not happen.
11 doth the fountain out of the same opening pour forth the sweet and the bitter?
Does a spring pour out from its opening both sweet and bitter water?
12 is a fig-tree able, my brethren, olives to make? or a vine figs? so no fountain salt and sweet water [is able] to make.
Does a fig tree, my brothers, make olives? Or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salty water produce sweet water.
13 Who [is] wise and intelligent among you? let him shew out of the good behaviour his works in 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 and if bitter zeal ye have, and rivalry in your heart, glory not, nor lie 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 is not descending from above, but earthly, physical, demon-like,
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 for where zeal and rivalry [are], there is insurrection and every evil matter;
For where there are jealousy and ambition, there is confusion and every evil practice.
17 and the wisdom from above, first, indeed, is pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of kindness and good fruits, uncontentious, and unhypocritical: —
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 the righteousness in peace is sown to those making peace.
The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace.
