The General Epistle of James

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- Kapitel 3 -

(Psalm 64:1–10)

Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.

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

For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.

Behold also ships, whereas they are great, and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.

Even so the tongue is indeed a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.

For every nature of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of the rest, is tamed, and hath been tamed, by the nature of man:

But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.

By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God.

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

Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water?

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes; or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet.

The Wisdom from Above

Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew, by a good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contentions in your hearts; glory not, and be not liars against the truth.

For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish.

For where envying and contention is, there is inconstancy, and every evil work.

But the wisdom, that is from above, first indeed is chaste, then peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, without dissimulation.

And the fruit of justice is sown in peace, to them that make peace.

(Psalm 64:1–10)

Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.

Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

Behold,(a) the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.(b)

For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;

but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.

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

Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

The Wisdom from Above

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Fußnoten

(a)3:4 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

(b)3:6 or, Hell