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 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

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 For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.

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

3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

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 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

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 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

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 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

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

7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;

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

8 but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

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 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.

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

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

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

11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

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

12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

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 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

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

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.

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

15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

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

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

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 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

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

18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.