3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

3:2 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.
3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

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

3:4 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.
3:4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

3:6 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.
3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

3:7 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:
3:7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
3:8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
3:10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?
3:11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
3:12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

3:13 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.
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
3:14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish.
3:15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

3:16 For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.
3:16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

3:17 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.
3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

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