James 3

1Be not manyof youteachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

1Be not manyof youteachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

1Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly than others.

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.

2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

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.

2For we all go wrong in a number of things. If a man never makes a slip in his talk, then he is a complete man and able to keep all his body in control.

3Now if we put the horses’ bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.

3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

3Now if we put the horses’ bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.

3Now if we put bits of iron into horses' mouths so that they may be guided by us, we have complete control of their 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.

4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

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.

4And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds, are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is using it.

5So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

5So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

5Even so the tongue is a small part of the body, but it takes credit for great things. How much wood may be lighted by a very little 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.

6And 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 of hell.

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.

6And the tongue is a fire; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its fire from hell.

7For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:

7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

7For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:

7For every sort of beast and bird and every living thing on earth and in the sea has been controlled by man and is under his authority;

8but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.

8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

8but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.

8But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.

9Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

9Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

9With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image.

10out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

10out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

10Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not right for these things to be so.

11Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?

11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

11Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?

11Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water?

12can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither can salt water yield sweet.

12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

12can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither can salt water yield sweet.

12Is a fig-tree able to give us olives, my brothers, or do we get figs from a vine, or sweet water from the salt sea?

13Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.

13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

13Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.

13Who has wisdom and good sense among you? let him make his works clear by a life of gentle wisdom.

14But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

14But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

14But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true.

15This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

15This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

15This wisdom is not from heaven, but is of the earth and the flesh and the Evil One.

16For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.

16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

16For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.

16For where envy is, and the desire to get the better of others, there is no order, but every sort of evil-doing.

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 is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

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 which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is.

18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.

18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.

18And the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace for those who make peace.