James 3 Parallel Bible Translations

James 3 ▼
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1 MY brethren, do not allow doubtful teachers among you; but know, that we are under a great 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 in many things we all stumble. Anyone who does not offend in word, this one is a perfect man, and able also to subdue his whole body. 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 Behold, we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 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 Behold also the ships, great as they are, when driven by severe winds, they are turned about with a very small rudder, wherever the pilot wishes. 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 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Likewise, a small fire sets ablaze the large forests. 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 The tongue is a fire, and the sinful world like a forest: that very tongue, while it is among our members, can defile our whole body, and set on fire the records of our race which have rolled down from the beginning: and in the end it is consumed by fire. 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 every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of creatures of the sea and of the land are under the subjugation of the will of man. 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 the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly 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 the LORD and the Father; and by it we curse men, who are made in the image 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 Out of the same mouth proceed curses and blessings. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 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 Can there spring forth from the same fountain, both sweet water 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 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olives? Or the vine, figs? likewise also salt water cannot be made sweet. 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 among you and has training? let him prove his words by his good deeds, in the humbleness 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 have bitter envying among you, or strife in your hearts, do not boast and do not lie 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 This wisdom does not come from above, but it is earthly, sensual, devilish. 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 strife are, there is confusion and every sort of evil. 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 the wisdom that is from above is first pure then full of peace, and gentle, obedient, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 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 the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by the peacemakers. 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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