1Let not many [of you] become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
1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。
2For we all stumble in many [ways]. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
2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。
3Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
3我們若把嚼環放在馬嘴裡，叫牠順服，就能調動牠的全身。
4Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
4看哪，船隻雖然甚大，又被大風催逼，只用小小的舵，就隨著掌舵的意思轉動。
5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and [yet] it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
5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。
6And the tongue is a fire, the [very] world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of [our] life, and is set on fire by hell.
6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。
7For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
7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；
8But no one can tame the tongue; [it is] a restless evil [and] full of deadly poison.
8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。
9With it we bless [our] Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
9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。
10from the same mouth come [both] blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
10頌讚和咒詛從一個口裡出來！我的弟兄們，這是不應當的！
11Does a fountain send out from the same opening [both] fresh and bitter [water]?
11泉源從一個眼裡能發出甜苦兩樣的水麼？
12Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor [can] salt water produce fresh.
12我的弟兄們，無花果樹能生橄欖麼？葡萄樹能結無花果麼？鹹水裡也不能發出甜水來。
13Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
13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。
14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and [so] lie against the truth.
14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。
15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
15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。
16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
16在何處有嫉妒、分爭，就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。
17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
17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。
18And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
18並且使人和平的，是用和平所栽種的義果。