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James

Teaches practical wisdom for living out one's faith through good works.

Chapter 3

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1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

*My friends, don't become many leaders, because we will get a bigger punishment.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

*For often, we make mistakes in various ways. If someone doesn't mess up with their words, they are completely good and can control their entire body too.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

*Look, we put controls in horses' mouths so they listen to us, and we can guide their entire body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

*Look at the big ships too. Even though they're pushed by strong winds, they can change direction with just a little steering wheel, going wherever the person in charge wants.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

*Just like that, the tongue is a small part, but it can brag about big things. Look, a tiny fire can cause such a huge blaze!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

*The tongue is like a fire causing harm, it can dirty our whole body and start natural disasters. It's fueled by evil forces from hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

*For all types of animals, birds, snakes, and sea creatures, people have tamed them.

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

*But you cannot control your tongue. It's wild and bad, filled with dangerous lies.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

*With it, we praise God, the Father; and with it, we also condemn people, who are like God in their creation.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

*From the same mouth come blessings and curses. My friends, this shouldn't happen.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

*Does a fountain produce both sweet and bitter water from the same spot?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

*"Can a fig tree produce olives, my friends? Or a vine, figs? So, a spring cannot give out both salty and fresh water."

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

*Who among you is smart and knows a lot? Let that person show their good behavior and actions, while being humble and wise.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

*But if you have jealousy and fighting inside you, don't brag and don't say things that aren't true.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

*This wisdom doesn't come from heaven; it's worldly, based on physical desires, and evil.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

*Where there's jealousy and fighting, chaos and bad things happen.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

*But true wisdom comes from above and is pure, peaceful, gentle, and easy to deal with. It's full of kindness and good results, treats everyone fairly, and isn't fake.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

*And doing good deeds results in peace for those who seek peace.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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