雅各书 3

邪恶的舌头

1 我的弟兄姊妹，不要个个当教师，因为你们知道，我们为人师表的将受到更严格的评判，2 因为我们在许多方面难免有过失。如果谁在言语上没有过失，他就是纯全的人，也能在各方面保持自制。3 我们如果把嚼环放在马嘴里，便可以使它顺服，驾驭它。4 一艘大船在遭遇暴风吹袭时，船身虽然庞大，但舵手只要操纵一个小小的舵，就能随意驾驶它。

5 同样，人的舌头虽然很小，却能说夸大的话。
星星之火可以燎原。6 舌头就是火，是我们身体上的一个充满邪恶的世界，能玷污人的全身，足以毁掉人的一生，它是从地狱点燃的火。7 自然界中的各类走兽、飞禽、爬虫、水族都可以被驯服，也已经被人类驯服了，8 但无人能驯服自己的舌头，因为舌头是个无法控制的邪恶之物，充满了致命的毒气。9 我们用舌头来赞美主和天父，也用舌头来咒诅照着上帝的形象被造的人。10 赞美和咒诅竟然从同一张嘴里发出来。我的弟兄姊妹，这是不应该的！11 同一个泉源能涌出甜苦两样水吗？12 我的弟兄姊妹，无花果树能结出橄榄吗？葡萄树能结出无花果吗？一个咸水泉必流不出甜水来。

天上的智慧

13 你们当中谁是有智慧、有见识的呢？请他带着来自智慧的谦和，在善行上表现出来。14 但如果你们里面有充满苦毒的嫉妒和自私的野心，就不要自夸说有智慧，也不要违背真理去撒谎。15 这种智慧并非来自天上，而是从世俗、私欲和魔鬼来的。16 哪里有嫉妒和自私的野心，哪里就会有混乱和各样的恶事。

17 但从天上来的智慧首先是纯洁，然后是爱好和平、温良柔顺、充满怜悯、多结善果、不存偏见、没有虚伪。18 使人和睦的人撒下和平的种子，必收获仁义的果实。

James 3

The Power of the Tongue

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,t because you know that we will be judged more strictly.t2 For we all stumblet in many ways. If someone does not stumblet in what he says,t he is a perfect individual,t able to control the entire body as well.3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies.t4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs.5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body,t yet it has great pretensions.t Thinkt how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.

6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue representst the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. Itt pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell.s
7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creaturet is subdued and has been subdued by humankind.t8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restlesss evil, full of deadly poison.9 With it we bless the Lords and Father, and with it we curse peoplet made in God’s image.10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.t11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it?

12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters,t or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water.

True Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.t14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.15 Sucht wisdom does not comet from above but is earthly, natural,t demonic.16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice.17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating,t full of mercy and good fruit,t impartial, and not hypocritical.t

18 And the fruit that consists of righteousnesst is plantedt in peace amongt those who make peace.