3:1 Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a ①stricter judgment.
▷ ①Or greater condemnation; i.e., for erroneous doctrine
3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in ①what he says, he is a perfect man, able to ②rein in the whole body as well.
▷ ①Lit word ②Or hold in check
3:3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well.
3:4 Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines.
3:5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
3:6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among ①our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our ②life, and is set on fire by ③hell.
▷ ①Lit our parts ②Or existence, origin ③Gr Gehenna
3:7 For every ①species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human ②race.
▷ ①Lit nature ②Lit nature
3:8 But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
3:9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God;
3:10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.
3:11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both ①fresh and bitter water?
▷ ①Lit sweet
3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce ①fresh.
▷ ①Lit sweet
3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and ①selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
▷ ①Or strife
3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, ①natural, demonic.
▷ ①Or unspiritual
3:16 For where jealousy and ①selfish ambition exist, ②there is disorder and every evil thing.
▷ ①Or strife ②I.e., in that place
3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, ①reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, ②impartial, free of hypocrisy.
▷ ①Or willing to yield ②Or unwavering
3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace ①by those who make peace.
▷ ①Or for