MODERN LITERAL VERSION

3:1 My brethren, do not let many of you * become teachers, knowing that we will receive a severer judgment.
3:2 For*we all trip in many things. If anyone does not trip in speech, this one is a perfect man, also able to bridle the whole body.
3:3 Behold we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, and we direct their whole body.
3:4 Behold also the ships, though they are so-great and are driven by hard winds, yet they are directed by a small rudder, wherever the impulse of the steersman is intending.

3:5 So the tongue is also a little member and boasts of magnificent things. Behold, how-vast a forest is lit by such a little fire!
3:6 And the tongue is a fire, the world of unrighteousness. Thus the tongue is designated among our members as what stains the whole body and ignites the cycle of {F} life and is ignited by hell.
3:7 For* every nature of beasts and birds, of reptiles and sea-creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by human nature.
3:8 But none of mankind is able to tame the tongue; it is an uncontrollable evil, it is full of deadly poison.
3:9 We thank God and the Father with it and we curse men with it, those who became according to the likeness of God.
3:10 Thanks and cursing comes out from the same mouth. My brethren, these things do not need to become so!
3:11 The spring is not gushing sweet and bitter water from the same hole in the ground, is it?
3:12 My brethren, a fig tree is not able to produce olives or a vine figs, are they? Thus no spring is able to produce both salty and sweet water.

3:13 Who is wise and knowledgeable among you*? Let him show out of his good conduct his works in meekness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you* have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your* heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
3:15 This wisdom is not a wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, physical, demonic.
3:16 For* where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is unrest and every evil matter.
3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is indeed first pure, thereafter is peaceful, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and without hypocrisy.
3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who are making* peace.
{Footnotes: James 3:6- Literally: birth or origin or generations.}