3:1 Be not many (of you) teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
3:1 Let not many [of you] become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.

3:2 For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
3:2 For we all stumble in many [ways.] If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

3:3 Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
3:3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

3:4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.
3:4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

3:5 So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
3:5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and [yet] it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

3:6 And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.
3:6 And the tongue is a fire, the [very] world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of [our] life, and is set on fire by hell.

3:7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.
3:7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race.

3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; (it is) a restless evil, (it is) full of deadly poison.
3:8 But no one can tame the tongue; [it is] a restless evil [and] full of deadly poison.

3:9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:
3:9 With it we bless [our] Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

3:10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
3:10 from the same mouth come [both] blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

3:11 Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet (water) and bitter?
3:11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening [both] fresh and bitter [water]?

3:12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither (can) salt water yield sweet.
3:12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither [can] salt water produce fresh.

3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.
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 ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and [so] lie against the truth.

3:15 This wisdom is not (a wisdom) that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

3:16 For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.
3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.
3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.
3:18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.