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 Mine Brødre! ikke mange af eder bør blive Lærere, såsom I vide, at vi skulle få en desto tungere Dom.

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 Thi vi støde alle an i mange Ting; dersom nogen ikke støder an i Tale, da er han en fuldkommen Mand, i Stand til også at holde hele Legemet i Tomme.

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

3 Men når vi lægge Bidsler i Hestenes Munde, for at de skulle adlyde os, så dreje vi også hele deres Legeme.

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 Se, også Skibene, endskønt de ere så store og drives af stærke Vinde, drejes med et såre lidet Ror, hvorhen Styrmandens Hu står.

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 Således er også Tungen et lille Lem og fører store Ord. Se, hvor lille en Ild der stikker så stor en Skov i Brand!

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 Og Tungen er en Ild. Som en Verden af Uretfærdighed sidder Tungen iblandt vore Lemmer; den besmitter hele Legemet og sætter Livets Hjul i Brand, selv sat i Brand af Helvede.

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

7 Thi enhver Natur, både Dyrs og Fugles, både Krybdyrs og Havdyrs, tæmmes og er tæmmet af den menneskelige Natur;

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

8 men Tungen kan intet Menneske tæmme, det ustyrlige Onde, fuld af dødbringende Gift.

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 Med den velsigne vi Herren og Faderen, og med den forbande vi Menneskene, som ere blevne til efter Guds Lighed.

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

10 Af den samme Mund udgår Velsignelse og Forbandelse. Mine Brødre! dette bør ikke være så.

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

11 Mon en Kilde udgyder sødt Vand og besk Vand af det samme Væld?

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

12 Mon et Figentræ, mine Brødre! kan give Oliven, eller et Vintræ Figener? Heller ikke kan en Salt Kilde give fersk Vand.

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 Er nogen viis og forstandig iblandt eder, da vise han ved god Omgængelse sine Gerninger i viis Sagtmodighed!

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

14 Men have I bitter Avind og Rænkesyge i eders Hjerter, da roser eder ikke og lyver ikke imod Sandheden!

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

15 Dette er ikke den Visdom, som kommer ovenfra, men en jordisk, sjælelig*, djævelsk; { [*uåndelig, se 1 Kor. 2, 14. Jud. V. 19.] }

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

16 thi hvor der er Avind og Rænkesyge, der er Forvirring og al ond Handel.

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 Men Visdommen herovenfra er først ren, dernæst fredsommelig, mild, føjelig, fuld at Barmhjertighed og gode Frugter, upartisk, uden Skrømt.

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

18 Men Retfærdigheds Frugt såes i Fred for dem, som stifte Fred.