3:1 My fellow believers, perhaps many of you will not become teachers, because you know we are judged more strictly.
3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone doesn’t stumble in what he says, he is a person of perfection – indeed, able to guide the entire society.
3:3 Similarly, if we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we will also direct their entire body.
3:4 Or consider the ships. While they are very large and are driven by strong winds, a pilot can steer them to wherever he wants to go by a very small rudder.
3:5 Likewise, the tongue is only a small part of the body, but it can boast exceedingly. This is like a great forest being set on fire by a small spark.
3:6 And the tongue is a fire that sets wickedness in the world among our members, just as it corrupts the entire body. It sets on fire the whole path of one's life, this is the fire set by hell.
3:7 For all species of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea have been and are tamed by humans,
3:8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless wickedness, and filled with deadly poison.
3:9 With it we praise our LORD and Creator, and with it we curse humans, who were made in the likeness of God.
3:10 From the same mouth comes both praise and cursing. My fellow believers, these things should not take place.
3:11 Does a fountain send out from the same hole both fresh and rancid water?
3:12 My fellow believers, can a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
3:13 Who among you is wise and knowledgeable? Then show it by your devoted activities performed with the humility that arises from wisdom.
3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfishness in your heart, don’t be arrogant and contradict the Truth.
3:15 That type of knowledge does not descend from above – rather, its nature is materialistic and wicked.
3:16 Because from envy and selfishness come disorder and all wickedness.
3:17 Yet the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure; then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, merciful – being unwavering good fruits with no hypocrisy.
3:18 And the seed of the fruit of devotion is sown with tranquility by those who create tranquility.
3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone doesn’t stumble in what he says, he is a person of perfection – indeed, able to guide the entire society.
3:3 Similarly, if we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we will also direct their entire body.
3:4 Or consider the ships. While they are very large and are driven by strong winds, a pilot can steer them to wherever he wants to go by a very small rudder.
3:5 Likewise, the tongue is only a small part of the body, but it can boast exceedingly. This is like a great forest being set on fire by a small spark.
3:6 And the tongue is a fire that sets wickedness in the world among our members, just as it corrupts the entire body. It sets on fire the whole path of one's life, this is the fire set by hell.
3:7 For all species of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea have been and are tamed by humans,
3:8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless wickedness, and filled with deadly poison.
3:9 With it we praise our LORD and Creator, and with it we curse humans, who were made in the likeness of God.
3:10 From the same mouth comes both praise and cursing. My fellow believers, these things should not take place.
3:11 Does a fountain send out from the same hole both fresh and rancid water?
3:12 My fellow believers, can a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
3:13 Who among you is wise and knowledgeable? Then show it by your devoted activities performed with the humility that arises from wisdom.
3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfishness in your heart, don’t be arrogant and contradict the Truth.
3:15 That type of knowledge does not descend from above – rather, its nature is materialistic and wicked.
3:16 Because from envy and selfishness come disorder and all wickedness.
3:17 Yet the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure; then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, merciful – being unwavering good fruits with no hypocrisy.
3:18 And the seed of the fruit of devotion is sown with tranquility by those who create tranquility.
