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 我的弟兄们，不要多人作师傅，因为晓得我们要受更重的判断。

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 原来我们在许多事上都有过失；若有人在话语上没有过失，他就是完全人，也能勒住自己的全身。

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

3 我们若把嚼环放在马嘴里，叫它顺服，就能调动它的全身。

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 看哪，船只虽然甚大，又被大风催逼，只用小小的舵，就随着掌舵的意思转动。

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 这样，舌头在百体里也是最小的，却能说大话。 看哪，最小的火能点着最大的树林。

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，在我们百体中，舌头是个罪恶的世界，能污秽全身，也能把生命的轮子点起来，并且是从地狱里点着的。

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

7 各类的走兽、飞禽、昆虫、水族，本来都可以制伏，也已经被人制伏了；

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

8 惟独舌头没有人能制伏，是不止息的恶物，满了害死人的毒气。

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 我们用舌头颂赞那为主、为父的，又用舌头咒诅那照着 神形象被造的人。

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

10 颂赞和咒诅从一个口里出来！我的弟兄们，这是不应当的！

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

11 泉源从一个眼里能发出甜苦两样的水吗？

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

12 我的弟兄们，无花果树能生橄榄吗？葡萄树能结无花果吗？咸水里也不能发出甜水来。

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 你们中间谁是有智慧有见识的呢？他就当在智慧的温柔上显出他的善行来。

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

14 你们心里若怀着苦毒的嫉妒和纷争，就不可自夸，也不可说谎话抵挡真道。

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

15 这样的智慧不是从上头来的，乃是属地的，属情欲的，属鬼魔的。

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

16 在何处有嫉妒、纷争，就在何处有扰乱和各样的坏事。

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 惟独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平，温良柔顺，满有怜悯，多结善果，没有偏见，没有假冒。

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

18 并且使人和平的，是用和平所栽种的义果。