James 3 Parallel Bible Translations

James 3 ▼
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1 Be ye not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive the greater 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. If any stumble not in word, this a perfect man, able to govern by a bridle also the 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 in the horses' mouths, that they should yield to us; and we lead 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 ships, being so great, and driven by hard winds, are led by the smallest rudder, wherever the desire of him steering should 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 is a small member, and vaunts itself. Behold, how great a wood a little fire inflames. 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 the tongue a fire, a world of iniquity: so the tongue is placed in our members, defiling the whole body, and burning the wheel of creation; and burned by 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 every nature of beasts, and also of birds, of creeping things, and also of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the nature 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 And the tongue none of men can tame; an ungovernable 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 With it we praise the God and Father; and with it we curse men, those made according to the similitude 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 month comes forth blessing and cursing. There is no need, my brethren, for these things 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 Much less from the same aperture does a fountain bubble out sweet and bitter? 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 The fig tree, my brethren, cannot make olives, or the vine, figs: so no fountain can make salt and sweet 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 wise and knowing among you? let him show out of a good mode of life his works in 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 And if ye have bitter envy and intrigue in your heart, boast not, and lie not 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 is wisdom coming not down from above, but earthly, natural, resembling an evil spirit. 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 where envy and intrigue, there confusion and every bad deed. 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 And the wisdom from above is truly first pure, then peaceful, decorous, docile, full of mercy and good fruits, not separated, and unfeigned. 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 justice is sown in peace by those making 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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