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 我的弟兄們，不要多人作師傅，因為曉得我們要受更重的判斷。

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 原來我們在許多事上都有過失；若有人在話語上沒有過失，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 我們若把嚼環放在馬嘴裏，叫牠順服，就能調動牠的全身。

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，船隻雖然甚大，又被大風催逼，只用小小的舵，就隨着掌舵的意思轉動。

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 這樣，舌頭在百體裏也是最小的，卻能說大話。 看哪，最小的火能點着最大的樹林。

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 舌頭就是火，在我們百體中，舌頭是個罪惡的世界，能污穢全身，也能把生命的輪子點起來，並且是從地獄裏點着的。

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

7 各類的走獸、飛禽、昆蟲、水族，本來都可以制伏，也已經被人制伏了；

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

8 惟獨舌頭沒有人能制伏，是不止息的惡物，滿了害死人的毒氣。

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 我們用舌頭頌讚那為主、為父的，又用舌頭咒詛那照着上帝形像被造的人。

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

10 頌讚和咒詛從一個口裏出來！我的弟兄們，這是不應當的！

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

11 泉源從一個眼裏能發出甜苦兩樣的水嗎？

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

12 我的弟兄們，無花果樹能生橄欖嗎？葡萄樹能結無花果嗎？鹹水裏也不能發出甜水來。

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 你們中間誰是有智慧有見識的呢？他就當在智慧的溫柔上顯出他的善行來。

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

14 你們心裏若懷着苦毒的嫉妒和紛爭，就不可自誇，也不可說謊話抵擋真道。

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

15 這樣的智慧不是從上頭來的，乃是屬地的，屬情慾的，屬鬼魔的。

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

16 在何處有嫉妒、紛爭，就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。

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 惟獨從上頭來的智慧，先是清潔，後是和平，溫良柔順，滿有憐憫，多結善果，沒有偏見，沒有假冒。

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

18 並且使人和平的，是用和平所栽種的義果。