James 3
The full text of James 3 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Greek. Free to read.
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, since you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body as well.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
4 Look at ships too: though they are so large and driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot's impulse directs.
5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts of great things. Consider how great a forest a small fire sets ablaze.
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members as that which stains the whole body, setting on fire the course of life, and itself set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind,
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the likeness of God.
10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be so.
11 Does a spring pour out fresh and bitter water from the same opening?
12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt spring yield fresh water.
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show it by his good conduct, with deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it and lie against the truth.
15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Translation notes (9)
- James 3:3a Some manuscripts begin this verse with "Now if" (ei de), while the critical Greek text reads "Behold" (ide) at the start in some sources. The meaning of the verse is not changed.
- James 3:5a The Greek word hylEn can mean "forest/woodland" or "a pile of brushwood/fuel." The image presented is of a small spark consuming a huge mass.
- James 3:6a The Greek of this verse is exceptionally compact and difficult, and its grammar can be understood in several ways. The phrase ton trochon tEs geneseOs, meaning "the wheel/course of birth/existence," is debated and perhaps means "the cycle of life." The word gehenna refers to the valley of Hinnom, which was used as a symbol for the place of fiery judgment.
- James 3:8a Some manuscripts read "an unruly evil" (akataschton) instead of "restless" (akatastaton). The critical Greek text reads akatastaton (compare James 1:8).
- James 3:9a Some later manuscripts read "God" (theon) instead of "the Lord" (kyrion). The critical Greek text reads "the Lord and Father."
- James 3:12a The Greek of the last part of this verse is compressed, literally meaning "nor salt to make sweet water." Some manuscripts read "so no spring can produce both salt and fresh water."
- James 3:15a The Greek word psychikE means "of the natural or soulish life," referring to a person who is unspiritual; it is rendered "unspiritual" here.
- James 3:17a The Greek word adiakritos can mean "impartial" or "without favoritism," but it can also mean "undivided" or "without uncertainty." Both of these meanings are present in this verse.
- James 3:18a This can also be translated as "the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace." The Greek grammatical form tois poiousin (a dative case) can mean either "by" or "for" the peacemakers.
About this translation
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