Ἰάκωβος

James — Chapter 3

Read James Chapter 3 in the original Greek alongside the King James Version (KJV) — 18 verses. Koine Greek text with full English translation.

Μὴ πολλοὶ διδάσκαλοι γίνεσθε, ἀδελφοί μου, εἰδότες ὅτι μεῖζον κρίμα ληψόμεθα.

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

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Πολλὰ γὰρ πταίομεν ἅπαντες. Εἴ τις ἐν λόγῳ οὐ πταίει, οὗτος τέλειος ἀνήρ, δυνατὸς χαλιναγωγῆσαι καὶ ὅλον τὸ σῶμα.

KJVFor 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.

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

Ἴδε, τῶν ἵππων τοὺς χαλινοὺς εἰς τὰ στόματα βάλλομεν πρὸς τὸ πείθεσθαι αὐτοὺς ἡμῖν, καὶ ὅλον τὸ σῶμα αὐτῶν μετάγομεν.

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

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.

Ἰδού, καὶ τὰ πλοῖα, τηλικαῦτα ὄντα, καὶ ὑπὸ σκληρῶν ἀνέμων ἐλαυνόμενα, μετάγεται ὑπὸ ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου, ὅπου ἂν ἡ ὁρμὴ τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούληται.

KJVBehold 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.

Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

Οὕτως καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα μικρὸν μέλος ἐστίν, καὶ μεγαλαυχεῖ. Ἰδού, ὀλίγον πῦρ ἡλίκην ὕλην ἀνάπτει.

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

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ, ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας· οὕτως ἡ γλῶσσα καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν, ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τὸ σῶμα, καὶ φλογίζουσα τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως, καὶ φλογιζομένη ὑπὸ τῆς γεέννης.

KJVAnd 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.

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Πᾶσα γὰρ φύσις θηρίων τε καὶ πετεινῶν, ἑρπετῶν τε καὶ ἐναλίων, δαμάζεται καὶ δεδάμασται τῇ φύσει τῇ ἀνθρωπίνῃ·

KJVFor every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,

τὴν δὲ γλῶσσαν οὐδεὶς δύναται ἀνθρώπων δαμάσαι· ἀκατάσχετον κακόν, μεστὴ ἰοῦ θανατηφόρου.

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

but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Ἐν αὐτῇ εὐλογοῦμεν τὸν Θεὸν καὶ Πατέρα, καὶ ἐν αὐτῇ καταρώμεθα τοὺς ἀνθρώπους τοὺς καθ' ὁμοίωσιν Θεοῦ γεγονότας·

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

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness.

ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ στόματος ἐξέρχεται εὐλογία καὶ κατάρα. Οὐ χρή, ἀδελφοί μου, ταῦτα οὕτως γίνεσθαι.

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

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

Μήτι ἡ πηγὴ ἐκ τῆς αὐτῆς ὀπῆς βρύει τὸ γλυκὺ καὶ τὸ πικρόν;

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

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

Μὴ δύναται, ἀδελφοί μου, συκῆ ἐλαίας ποιῆσαι, ἢ ἄμπελος σῦκα; Οὕτως οὐδεμία πηγὴ ἁλυκὸν καὶ γλυκὺ ποιῆσαι ὕδωρ.

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

My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Τίς σοφὸς καὶ ἐπιστήμων ἐν ὑμῖν; Δειξάτω ἐκ τῆς καλῆς ἀναστροφῆς τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ ἐν πρᾳΰτητι σοφίας.

KJVWho is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Εἰ δὲ ζῆλον πικρὸν ἔχετε καὶ ἐριθείαν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν, μὴ κατακαυχᾶσθε καὶ ψεύδεσθε κατὰ τῆς ἀληθείας.

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

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

Οὐκ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ σοφία ἄνωθεν κατερχομένη, ἀλλ' ἐπίγειος, ψυχική, δαιμονιώδης.

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

Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Ὅπου γὰρ ζῆλος καὶ ἐριθεία, ἐκεῖ ἀκαταστασία καὶ πᾶν φαῦλον πρᾶγμα.

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

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

ἡ δὲ ἄνωθεν σοφία πρῶτον μὲν ἁγνή ἐστιν, ἔπειτα εἰρηνική, ἐπιεικής, εὐπειθής, μεστὴ ἐλέους καὶ καρπῶν ἀγαθῶν, ἀδιάκριτος καὶ ἀνυπόκριτος.

KJVBut 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.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Καρπὸς δὲ τῆς δικαιοσύνης ἐν εἰρήνῃ σπείρεται τοῖς ποιοῦσιν εἰρήνην.

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

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.