James 3

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.	1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly,
2 For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body.	2 for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also.
3 For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.	3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.
4 Behold also ships, whereas they are great, and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.	4 It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot's inclination wishes.
5 Even so the tongue is indeed a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.	5 In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze.
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.	6 The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna.
7 For every nature of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of the rest, is tamed, and hath been tamed, by the nature of man:	7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,
8 But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.	8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God.	9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.	10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers.
11 Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water?	11 Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes; or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet.	12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.
13 Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew, by a good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.	13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contentions in your hearts; glory not, and be not liars against the truth.	14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
15 For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish.	15 Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where envying and contention is, there is inconstancy, and every evil work.	16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.
17 But the wisdom, that is from above, first indeed is chaste, then peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, without dissimulation.	17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.
18 And the fruit of justice is sown in peace, to them that make peace.	18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.