James 3
James warns about the power of the tongue, declaring that it is a little member that boasts great things, a fire, a world of iniquity that no man can tame. He contrasts the wisdom from above — which is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy — with the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and devilish, which produces envy and strife.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. | My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. |
| 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. | For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. |
| 3 | Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. | We put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their 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. | See 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, wherever the governor wills. |
| 5 | Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! | Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how great a matter a little fire kindles! |
| 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. | And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on 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: | For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind, |
| 8 | But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. | but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, 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. | Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the similitude of God. |
| 10 | Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. | Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. |
| 11 | Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? | Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? |
| 12 | Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. | Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. |
| 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. | Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among You? Let Him show out of a good conversation His works with meekness of wisdom. |
| 14 | But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. | But if You have bitter envying and strife in Your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. |
| 15 | This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. | This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. |
| 16 | For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. | For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. |
| 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. | But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. |
| 18 | And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. | And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of those who make peace. |