Iacobi 3
1 Nolite plures magistri fieri fratres mei, scientes quoniam maius iudicium sumitis.
Do not become many teachers, my brothers, because you know well that we teachers shall be judged by a severer standard than others.
2 In multis enim offendimus omnes. Si quis in verbo non offendit: hic perfectus est vir. potest etiam freno circumducere totum corpus.
For in many respects we often stumble. If any man never stumbles in speech, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 Si autem equis frena in ora mittimus ad consentiendum nobis, et omne corpus illorum circumferimus.
When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we control their whole body also.
4 Et ecce naves, cum magnae sint, et a ventis validis minentur: circumferuntur autem a modico gubernaculo ubi impetus dirigentis voluerit.
Look at the ships too, though they are so large, even when driven by fierce winds they are turned by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse of the helmsman wills.
5 Ita et lingua modicum quidem membrum est, et magna exaltat. Ecce quantus ignis quam magnam silvam incendit!
So also the tongue is a small member and makes great boasts. Behold, how great a forest is set on fire by a little spark!
6 Et lingua ignis est, universitas iniquitatis. Lingua constituitur in membris nostris, quae maculat totum corpus, et inflammat rotam nativitatis nostrae inflammata a gehenna. (Geenna g1067)
And the tongue is a fire; it is a very world of iniquity among our members, defiling the whole body, and setting on fire the wheel of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 Omnis enim natura bestiarum, et volucrum, et serpentium, et ceterorum domantur, et domita sunt a natura humana:
For while every kind of beast and bird, and of reptiles and sea- creatures are tamable, and actually have been tamed by mankind,
8 linguam autem nullus hominum domare potest: inquietum malum, plena veneno mortifero.
no man can tame the tongue, restless evil that it is, full of deadly poison.
9 In ipsa benedicimus Deum et Patrem: et in ipsa maledicimus homines, qui ad imaginem, et similitudinem Dei facti sunt.
With it we continually bless our Lord and Father, and with it we are accustomed to curse men made in the image of God.
10 Ex ipso ore procedit benedictio, et maledictio. Non oportet, fratres mei, haec ita fieri.
From out of the same mouth pour forth blessings and cursings! My brothers, this ought not to be so.
11 Numquid fons de eodem foramine emanat dulcem, et amaram aquam?
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?
12 Numquid potest, fratres mei, ficus uvas facere, aut vitis ficus? Sic neque salsa dulcem potest facere aquam.
Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives; or a grape-vine, figs? No more can salt water yield fresh water.
13 Quis sapiens, et disciplinatus inter vos? Ostendat ex bona conversatione operationem suam in mansuetudine sapientiae.
Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him show his deeds by his good life, in the 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 jealousy and faction in your heart, do not be boasting of that, and be false to the truth.
15 non est enim ista sapientia desursum descendens: sed terrena, animalis, diabolica.
Such wisdom is not that which is descending from on high, but is earthly, sensual, demonlike.
16 Ubi enim zelus et contentio: ibi inconstantia, et omne opus pravum.
For wherever jealousy and faction exist, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17 Quae autem desursum est sapientia, primum quidem pudica est, deinde pacifica, modesta, suadibilis, bonus consentiens, plena misericordia, et fructibus bonis, iudicans sine simulatione.
But the wisdom which comes from on high is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, conciliatory, overflowing with mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without insincerity.
18 Fructus autem iustitiae, in pace seminatur, facientibus pacem.
And the fruit of righteousness is being sown in peace by those who are working peace.
