JMNT(i)
1 My brothers (= fellow members), do not continue to become many teachers (or: stop becoming a bunch of instructors; or: let not many of you folks proceed to be made teachers), seeing, and knowing, that we shall receive [a] greater effect from the decision (or: will take more intense scrutiny and evaluation; will get a stronger result of the separation; will receive heavier judgment),
2 for we all are tripping and stumbling (= making mistakes) many times [and] are causing many to entangle their feet, lose balance, and stumble. If anyone is not continually stumbling in word (or: collected thought; reason; or: = what he says), this one is a mature male adult (or: a perfect husband; = a complete and finished person), with power and able also to guide the whole body [as] with a bridle.
3 Now if we are thrusting the bridle bits into the horses' mouths to make them continually yield themselves to us, we also continually lead together (or: change the course of and direct) their whole body.
4 Consider also the ships, being of so great size, and being constantly driven under rough and hard winds. They are continually steered under (or: by) the smallest rudder, wherever the impulse of the helmsman (the one presently guiding straight and right) continues determining and intending.
5 Thus also, the tongue is a little member of the body, and yet is continuously making a great boast [other MSS: constantly brags about great things] – consider how great a forest a little fire progressively sets ablaze (or: lights up)!
6 Well the tongue [is] a fire; [its fuel is] the System of injustice (or: the ordered and decorated but dominating world of secular culture, religion, politics and government which is unjust; or: The tongue, also, [is] fire: the world of disregard for what is right). The tongue is placed down within our members, continuously spotting (staining; = defiling) the whole body, and repeatedly setting on fire the wheel of birth (= the cycle of the origin [of life], or of generation; the wheel of genesis), as well as being continuously set on fire by (or: under) the garbage dump (the depository of refuse; Greek: Gehenna – the Valley of Hinnom).
7 For every nature, both of wild animals and of flying creatures, both of creeping animals and of those in the salt sea, is continuously being restrained (tamed) and has been restrained by the nature of man (the human nature).
8 But the tongue – an unruly (un-restrainable; other MSS: unfixed; unstable; restless), worthless (ugly; bad; malicious; unrefined; harmful; base) [member], full of death-bearing venom – no one of humanity is able (continues having power) to subdue, restrain or tame.
9 With it we continuously speak well of (or: speak a good word about; bless) the Lord [other MSS: God] and Father, and with it we constantly curse (pray down upon) those men having been born “according to (down from and corresponding to) God's likeness.” [Gen. 1:26-27]
10 Out of the same mouth is continuously coming forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, there is no need (or: it is not necessary) for these things thus to be repeatedly birthed (or: to keep on happening in this way).
11 A spring (or: fountain) is not continuously bursting forth the sweet and the bitter (or: cutting and pricking; [p74: salty]) out of the same hole (or: opening).
12 My brothers, a fig tree is not able to produce olives, nor a grape-vine figs, neither brine to produce sweet water.
13 Who [is] wise and understanding (adept) among you? Let him at once exhibit (show; present to the sight and demonstrate) his works and actions out of beautiful behavior (fine, ideal, excellent and appropriate conduct) in gentleness of (or: considerateness from) wisdom.
14 Yet if you folks continuously have bitter rivalry (or: jealousy) and selfish ambition (or: faction) in your heart, do not habitually boast (exult) and lie (speak falsely or deceitfully) concerning the truth or reality (or: are you not now vaunting against and falsifying the truth?).
15 This is not the wisdom continuously coming down from above, but rather [is] upon the earth (or: earthly; terrestrial), pertaining to or proceeding from the soul (soulful; having the mind, will and emotions as its source; = natural), pertaining to, or proceeding from, or having the characteristics of demons [Hellenistic term and concept; = influences thought of in that period and culture as being animistic or personified]. [comment: note that the three adjectives "earthly, " "natural/soulish, " and "demonic" are tied together to this same context, as being of the same sphere of being – or, fruit of the same tree]
16 For where [there is] jealousy (rivalry) and selfish ambition (faction; intrigue), in that place [is] instability (disorder; an unsettled state) and every ignoble (base; vile; worthless) practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is (constantly exists being) indeed first (or: primarily) pure, thereafter peaceable (or: peaceful; pertaining to peace and harmony), suitable (fair; reasonably lenient; yielding; unassertive; considerate), compliant (easily persuaded; receptive; reasonable; willing to yield), full of mercy (= practical help) and good fruits, non-separating (not discriminatory; undivided in evaluating; unwavering; unprejudiced), unpretending (or: not hyper-critical; not judging from a low point of view; not focusing on tiny distinctions; not overly judgmental; not under-estimating of reality).
18 Now the fruit of fair and equitable dealing (justice and right relationship in accord with the Way pointed out; the condition of being rightwised, or turned in the right direction; also: = covenant participation) is continuously being sown in peace and harmony by and for those habitually performing (making; doing; producing) peace and harmony. [comment: fruit of the Spirit, or, from the Tree of Life]