James 3

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Only a few of you, my brothers, should be teachers, bearing in mind that we shal receive a stricterjudgement.	1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly,
2 For we all trip up in many ways. Someone who does not trip up in speech has reached perfection andis able to keep the whole body on a tight rein.	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 Once we put a bit in the horse's mouth, to make it do what we want, we have the whole animal underour control.	3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.
4 Or think of ships: no matter how big they are, even if a gale is driving them, they are directed by a tinyrudder wherever the whim of the helmsman decides.	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 So the tongue is only a tiny part of the body, but its boasts are great. Think how smal a flame can setfire to a huge forest;	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 The tongue is a flame too. Among al the parts of the body, the tongue is a whole wicked world: itinfects the whole body; catching fire itself from hel , it sets fire to the whole wheel of creation.	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 Wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish of every kind can al be tamed, and have been tamed, byhumans;	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 nobody can tame the tongue -- it is a pest that wil not keep stil , ful of deadly poison.	8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 We use it to bless the Lord and Father, but we also use it to curse people who are made in God'simage:	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 the blessing and curse come out of the same mouth. My brothers, this must be wrong-	10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers.
11 does any water supply give a flow of fresh water and salt water out of the same pipe?	11 Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water?
12 Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers, or a vine yield figs? No more can sea water yield fresh water.	12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.
13 Anyone who is wise or understanding among you should from a good life give evidence of deeds donein the gentleness 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 at heart you have the bitterness of jealousy, or selfish ambition, do not be boastful or hide thetruth with lies;	14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
15 this is not the wisdom that comes from above, but earthly, human and devilish.	15 Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 Wherever there are jealousy and ambition, there are also disharmony and wickedness of every kind;	16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.
17 whereas the wisdom that comes down from above is essential y something pure; it is also peaceable,kindly and considerate; it is ful of mercy and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality orhypocrisy in it.	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 The peace sown by peacemakers brings a harvest of justice.	18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.