James 3

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW JERUSALEM
1 My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment.	1 Only a few of you, my brothers, should be teachers, bearing in mind that we shal receive a stricterjudgement.
2 For we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body around.	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.
3 For so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body around.	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.
4 Consider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might will.	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.
5 So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest.	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;
6 And so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from Hell.	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.
7 For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature.	7 Wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish of every kind can al be tamed, and have been tamed, byhumans;
8 But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.	8 but nobody can tame the tongue -- it is a pest that wil not keep stil , ful of deadly poison.
9 By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God.	9 We use it to bless the Lord and Father, but we also use it to curse people who are made in God'simage:
10 From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!	10 the blessing and curse come out of the same mouth. My brothers, this must be wrong-
11 Does a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter water?	11 does any water supply give a flow of fresh water and salt water out of the same pipe?
12 My brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh water.	12 Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers, or a vine yield figs? No more can sea water yield fresh water.
13 Who is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.	13 Anyone who is wise or understanding among you should from a good life give evidence of deeds donein the gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you hold a bitter zeal, and if there is contention in your hearts, then do not boast and do not be liars against the truth.	14 But if at heart you have the bitterness of jealousy, or selfish ambition, do not be boastful or hide thetruth with lies;
15 For this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolical.	15 this is not the wisdom that comes from above, but earthly, human and devilish.
16 For wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved work.	16 Wherever there are jealousy and ambition, there are also disharmony and wickedness of every kind;
17 But within the wisdom that is from above, certainly, chastity is first, and next peacefulness, meekness, openness, consenting to what is good, a plenitude of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without falseness.	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.
18 And so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace.	18 The peace sown by peacemakers brings a harvest of justice.