James, 3

1. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

1. My brothers and sisters, don't all be teachers! You know that, as teachers, we will be judged most strictly;

2. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body.

2. in fact, we make mistakes, like everybody else. A person who commits no offense in speech is perfect and capable of ruling the whole self.

3. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

3. We put a bit into the horse's mouth to master it and, with this, we control its whole body.

4. Behold also the ships, which though [they be] so great, and [are] driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

4. The same is true of ships: however big they are and driven by strong winds, they are guided by a tiny rudder.

5. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

5. In the same way, the tongue is a tiny part of the body but it is capable of great things. A small flame is enough to set a huge forest on fire.

6. And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

6. The tongue is a similar flame; it is in itself a whole world of evil. It infects the whole being and sets fire to our world with the very fire of hell.

7. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

7. Wild animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures of every kind are and have been ruled by the human species.

8. But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

8. Nobody, however, can control the tongue; it is an untiring whip, full of deadly poison.

9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

9. We use it to bless God, our Father, and also to curse those made in God's likeness.

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

10. From the same mouth come both blessing and curse. Brothers and sisters, this should not be the case.

11. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?

11. Can both fresh and salt water gush from the same source?

12. Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

12. Can a fig tree produce olives or a grapevine give figs? Neither is the sea able to give fresh water.

13. Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

13. If you consider yourself wise and learned, show it by your good life and let your actions, in all humility, be an example for others.

14. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

14. But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and ambition, do not try to show off; that would be covering up the truth;

15. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish.

15. this kind of wisdom does not come from above but from the world and it is earthly and devilish.

16. For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.

16. Wherever there is jealousy and ambition, you will also find discord and all that is evil.

17. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

17. Instead, the wisdom which comes from above is pure and peace-loving. Persons with this wisdom show understanding and listen to advice; they are full of compassion and good works; they are impartial and sincere.

18. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

18. Peacemakers who sow peace reap a harvest of justice.