3:1 我的弟兄们，不要多人作师父，因为晓得我们要受更的判断。

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

 

3:2 原来我们在许多事上都有过失。若有人在话语上没有过失，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.

 

3:3 我们若把嚼环放在马嘴里，叫他顺服，就能调动他的全身。

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

 

3:4 看哪，船只虽然甚大，又被大风催逼，只用小小的舵，就随着掌舵的意思转动。

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.

 

3:5 这样，舌头在百体里也是最小的，却能说大话。看哪，最小的火能点着最大的树林。

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

 

3:6 舌头就是火，在我们百体中，舌头是个罪恶的世界，能污秽全身，也能把生命的*点起来，并且是从地狱里点着的。

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.

 

3:7 各类的走兽，飞禽，昆虫，水族，本来都可以制伏，也以经被人制伏了。

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:

 

3:8 惟独舌头没有人能制伏，是不止息的恶物，满了害死人的毒气。

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

 

3:9 我们用舌头颂赞那为主为父的，又用舌头咒诅那照着神形像被造的人。

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

 

3:10 颂赞和咒诅从一个口里出来，我的弟兄们，这是不应当的。

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

 

3:11 泉源从一个眼里能发出甜苦两样的水吗。

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

 

3:12 我的弟兄们，无花果树能生橄榄吗，葡萄树能结无花果吗。咸水里也不能发出甜水来。

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

 

3:13 你们中间有智慧有见识的呢。他就当在智慧的温柔上，显出他的善行来。

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.

 

3:14 你们心里若怀着苦毒的嫉妒和分争，就不可自夸，也不可说谎话抵挡真道。

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

 

3:15 这样的智慧，不是从上头来的，乃是属地的，属情欲的，属鬼魔的。

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

 

3:16 在何处有嫉妒分争，就在何处有扰乱，和各样的坏事。

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

 

3:17 惟独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平，温良柔顺，满有怜悯，多结善果，没有偏见，没有假冒。

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.

 

3:18 并且使人和平的，是用和平所栽种的义果。

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