James 3 Parallel Bible Translations

James 3 ▼
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1 My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment. Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 For we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body around. For 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. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 For so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body around. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4 Consider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might will. Look 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. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5 So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest. So 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! Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 And so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from Hell. And 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. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,
8 But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison. but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so! From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
11 Does a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter water? Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 My brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh water. Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13 Who is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you hold a bitter zeal, and if there is contention in your hearts, then do not boast and do not be liars against the truth. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15 For this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolical. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But within the wisdom that is from above, certainly, chastity is first, and next peacefulness, meekness, openness, consenting to what is good, a plenitude of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without falseness. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
18 And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
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