James 3
NET Parallel ESV [BSB CSB ESV HCS KJV ISV NAS NET NIV NLT GRK]
NET BibleEnglish Standard Version
1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
2For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well.2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
3And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies.3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
4Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot's inclination directs.4Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
6And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence--and is set on fire by hell. 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
7For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind.7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
8But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God's image.9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it?11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. 12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic.15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice.16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
18And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace. 18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
James 2
Top of Page
Top of Page