James 3

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

1 我的弟兄姊妹，不要个个当教师，因为你们知道，我们为人师表的将受到更严格的评判。

2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

2 因为我们在许多方面难免有过失。如果谁在言语上没有过失，他就是纯全的人，也能在各方面保持自制。

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.

3 我们如果把嚼环放在马嘴里，便可以驯服它，驾驭它。

4 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.

4 一艘大船被强风吹袭时，船身虽然庞大，但舵手只要操纵一个小小的舵，就能随意驾驶它。

5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

5 同样，人的舌头虽然很小，却能说夸大的话。 看啊，小火星能点燃大森林。

6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

6 舌头就是火，是我们身体上的一个充满邪恶的世界，能玷污人的全身，足以烧毁人的一生，它是从地狱点燃的火。

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

7 自然界中的各类走兽、飞禽、爬虫、水族都可以被驯服，也已经被人类驯服了，

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

8 但无人能驯服自己的舌头，因为舌头是个蠢蠢欲动的邪恶之物，充满了致命的毒气。

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

9 我们用舌头来赞美我们的主和天父，也用舌头来咒诅照着上帝的形象被造的人。

10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

10 赞美和咒诅竟然从同一张嘴里发出来。我的弟兄姊妹，这是不应该的！

11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

11 同一个泉源能涌出甜苦两样水吗？

12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

12 我的弟兄姊妹，无花果树能结出橄榄吗？葡萄树能结出无花果吗？一个咸水泉必流不出甜水来。

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

13 你们当中谁是有智慧、有见识的呢？请他带着从智慧而来的谦和在善行上表现出来。

14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

14 但如果你们心怀苦涩的嫉妒和自私的野心，就不要自夸，也不要违背真理去撒谎。

15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

15 这种智慧并非来自天上，而是从世俗、私欲和魔鬼来的。

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

16 哪里有嫉妒和自私的野心，哪里就会有混乱和各种恶事。

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

17 但从天上来的智慧首先是纯洁，然后是爱好和平、温良柔顺、充满怜悯、多结善果、不存偏见、没有虚伪。

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

18 使人和睦的人撒下和平的种子，必收获仁义的果实。