The Latin Vulgate VUL
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 nolite plures magistri fieri fratres mei scientes quoniam maius iudicium sumitis
1
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.
2 in multis enim offendimus omnes si quis in verbo non offendit hic perfectus est vir potens etiam freno circumducere totum corpus
2
For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
3 si autem equorum frenos in ora mittimus ad consentiendum nobis et omne corpus illorum circumferimus
3
If we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we guide their whole bodies.
4 ecce et naves cum magnae sint et a ventis validis minentur circumferuntur a modico gubernaculo ubi impetus dirigentis voluerit
4
Look at the ships also; though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 ita et lingua modicum quidem membrum est et magna exultat ecce quantus ignis quam magnam silvam incendit
5
So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
6 et lingua ignis est universitas iniquitatis lingua constituitur in membris nostris quae maculat totum corpus et inflammat rotam nativitatis nostrae inflammata a gehenna
6
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell.
7 omnis enim natura bestiarum et volucrum et serpentium etiam ceterorum domantur et domita sunt a natura humana
7
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind,
8 linguam autem nullus hominum domare potest inquietum malum plena veneno mortifero
8
but no human being can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 in ipsa benedicimus Dominum et Patrem et in ipsa maledicimus homines qui ad similitudinem Dei facti sunt
9
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
10 ex ipso ore procedit benedictio et maledictio non oportet fratres mei haec ita fieri
10
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so.
11 numquid fons de eodem foramine emanat dulcem et amaram aquam
11
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish?
12 numquid potest fratres mei ficus olivas facere aut vitis ficus sic neque salsa dulcem potest facere aquam
12
Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
13 quis sapiens et disciplinatus inter vos ostendat ex bona conversatione operationem suam in mansuetudine sapientiae
13
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
14 quod si zelum amarum habetis et contentiones in cordibus vestris nolite gloriari et mendaces esse adversus veritatem
14
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
15 non est ista sapientia desursum descendens sed terrena animalis diabolica
15
This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.
16 ubi enim zelus et contentio ibi inconstantia et omne opus pravum
16
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
17 quae autem desursum est sapientia primum quidem pudica est deinde pacifica modesta suadibilis plena misericordia et fructibus bonis non iudicans sine simulatione
17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.
18 fructus autem iustitiae in pace seminatur facientibus pacem
18
And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.