Iacobi 3
1 Nolite plures magistri fieri fratres mei, scientes quoniam maius iudicium sumitis.
Be ye not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment.
2 In multis enim offendimus omnes. Si quis in verbo non offendit: hic perfectus est vir. potest etiam freno circumducere totum corpus.
For we all fail in many things; if any one fails not in word, the same is a perfect man, able even to bridle the whole body.
3 Si autem equis frena in ora mittimus ad consentiendum nobis, et omne corpus illorum circumferimus.
But if we put bridles into the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us; and we manage their whole body;
4 Ecce et naves, cum magnæ sint, et a ventis validis minentur, circumferuntur a modico gubernaculo ubi impetus dirigentis voluerit.
behold also the ships, being so great, and driven by fierce winds, are managed by the smallest rudder, whithersoever the will of the steersman prefers;
5 Ita et lingua modicum quidem membrum est, et magna exaltat. Ecce quantus ignis quam magnam silvam incendit!
so also the tongue is a little member, and it boasts great things. Behold, how great a wood a little fire kindles!
6 Et lingua ignis est, universitas iniquitatis. Lingua constituitur in membris nostris, quæ maculat totum corpus, et inflammat rotam nativitatis nostræ inflammata a gehenna. (Geenna g1067)
The tongue, a fire, the world of iniquity: the tongue sits down in the midst of our members, and corrupting the whole body, and setting on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 Omnis enim natura bestiarum, et volucrum, et serpentium, et ceterorum domantur, et domita sunt a natura humana:
For every nature both of wild beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of oceanic animals, is subdued, and has been subjugated to human nature:
8 linguam autem nullus hominum domare potest: inquietum malum, plena veneno mortifero.
but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; an incorrigible evil, full of deadly poison.
9 In ipsa benedicimus Deum et Patrem: et in ipsa maledicimus homines, qui ad similitudinem Dei facti sunt.
With it we bless the Lord, even the Father; and with it we scold the people, who have been made after the image of God:
10 Ex ipso ore procedit benedictio, et maledictio. Non oportet, fratres mei, hæc ita fieri.
out of the same mouth come forth blessing and scolding. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Numquid fons de eodem foramine emanat dulcem, et amaram aquam?
Whether does the fountain out of the same chink send forth sweet water and bitter?
12 Numquid potest, fratres mei, ficus uvas facere, aut vitis ficus? Sic neque salsa dulcem potest facere aquam.
My brethren, whether is the fig-tree able to produce olives, or the vine figs? Neither is the bitter fountain able to produce sweet water.
13 Quis sapiens, et disciplinatus inter vos? Ostendat ex bona conversatione operationem suam in mansuetudine sapientiæ.
Who is wise and instructed among you? Let him show forth out of beautiful conduct his works in meekness of wisdom.
14 Quod si zelum amarum habetis, et contentiones sint in cordibus vestris: nolite gloriari, et mendaces esse adversus veritatem.
But if you have bitter envy and strife in your heart, do not boast, and lie against the truth.
15 non est enim ista sapientia desursum descendens: sed terrena, animalis, diabolica.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but it is earthly, intellectual, and demoniacal.
16 Ubi enim zelus et contentio: ibi inconstantia, et omne opus pravum.
For where there are envy and strife, there are contention and every evil work.
17 Quæ autem desursum est sapientia, primum quidem pudica est, deinde pacifica, modesta, suadibilis, bonus consentiens, plena misericordia, et fructibus bonis, non iudicans, sine simulatione.
But the wisdom which is from above is indeed first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily persuaded, full of mercy and of good works, free from partiality and hypocrisy.
18 Fructus autem iustitiæ, in pace seminatur, facientibus pacem.
But the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to those who are making peace.
