James

我的弟兄們，不要多人作師傅，因為曉得我們要受更重的判斷。

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

原來我們在許多事上都有過失；若有人在話語上沒有過失，他就是完全人，也能勒住自己的全身。

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.

我們若把嚼環放在馬嘴裡，叫他順服，我們就能調動它的全身。

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

看哪，船隻雖然甚大，又被猛風催逼，只用小小的舵，就隨著掌舵的意思轉動。

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.

這樣，舌頭在百體裡也是最小的，卻能說大話。看哪，最小的火能點著最大的樹林。

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

舌頭就是火，在我們百體中，舌頭是個罪惡的世界，能污穢全身，也能把生命的輪子點起來，並且是從地獄裡點著的。

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.

各類的走獸、飛禽、昆蟲、水族，本來都可以制伏，也已經被人制伏了；

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:

惟獨舌頭沒有人能制伏，是不止息的惡物，滿了害死人的毒氣。

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

我們用舌頭頌讚那為主、為父的，又用舌頭咒詛那照著神形像被造的人。

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

頌讚和咒詛從一個口裡出來，我的弟兄們，這是不應當的。

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

泉源從一個眼裡能發出甜苦兩樣的水嗎？

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

我的弟兄們，無花果樹能生橄欖嗎？葡萄樹能結無花果嗎？鹹水裡也不能發出甜水來。

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

你們中間誰是有智慧有見識的呢？他就當在智慧的溫柔上顯出他的善行來。

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.

你們心裡若懷著苦毒的嫉妒和分爭，就不可自誇，也不可說謊話抵擋真道。

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

這樣的智慧不是從上頭來的，乃是屬地的，屬情慾的，屬鬼魔的。

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

在哪裡有嫉妒、分爭，在哪裡就有擾亂和各樣的壞事。

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

惟獨從上頭來的智慧，先是清潔，後是和平，溫良柔順，滿有憐憫，多結善果，沒有偏見，沒有假冒。

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.

並且使人和平的，是用和平所栽種的義果。

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