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James 3
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1Be not manyof youteachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
2We all make many mistakes. If anyone never says the wrong thing, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body as well.
3Now if we put the horses’ bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide their entire bodies.
4Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.
4Think about ships as well. Even though they are huge and driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the pilot decides to go.
5So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
5In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Think about how a tiny spark can set a huge forest on fire!
6And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.
6The tongue is also a fire. It is a world of evil among the parts of our body, polluting the whole person and setting the entire course of life on fire, being set on fire itself by hell.
7For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:
7People have tamed all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures, and they continue to be tamed by the human race.
8but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.
8But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:
9With our tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the likeness of God.
10out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
10Both blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, this should not be happening.
11Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?
11Does a spring pour out both fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?
12can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither can salt water yield sweet.
12My brothers, can a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? In the same way, a salt spring cannot produce fresh water.
13Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.
13Who among you is wise and understanding? Let them show it by their good life, doing their work with the humility that comes from wisdom.
14But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.
14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not brag about it or lie against the truth.
15This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
15That kind of 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven; it is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
16For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.
16For wherever jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil practice.
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield to others, full of mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere.