3:1  nolite plures magistri fieri            1.  My brethren, be not many masters,
fratres mei scientes quoniam maius           knowing that we shall receive the
iudicium sumitis                             greater condemnation.

3:2  in multis enim offendimus omnes si      2.  For in many things we offend all.
quis in verbo non offendit hic               If any man offend not in word, the same
perfectus est vir potens etiam freno         is a perfect man, and able also to
circumducere totum corpus                    bridle the whole body.

3:3  si autem equorum frenos in ora          3.  Behold, we put bits in the horses'
mittimus ad consentiendum nobis et omne      mouths, that they may obey us; and we
corpus illorum circumferimus                 turn about their whole body.

3:4  ecce et naves cum magnae sint et a      4.  Behold also the ships, which though
ventis validis minentur circumferuntur       they be so great, and are driven of
a modico gubernaculo ubi impetus             fierce winds, yet are they turned about
dirigentis voluerit                          with a very small helm, whithersoever
                                             the governor listeth.

3:5  ita et lingua modicum quidem            5.  Even so the tongue is a little
membrum est et magna exultat ecce            member, and boasteth great things.
quantus ignis quam magnam silvam             Behold, how great a matter a little
incendit                                     fire kindleth!

3:6  et lingua ignis est universitas         6.  And the tongue is a fire, a world
iniquitatis lingua constituitur in           of iniquity: so is the tongue among our
membris nostris quae maculat totum           members, that it defileth the whole
corpus et inflammat rotam nativitatis        body, and setteth on fire the course of
nostrae inflammata a gehenna                 nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

3:7  omnis enim natura bestiarum et          7.  For every kind of beasts, and of
volucrum et serpentium etiam ceterorum       birds, and of serpents, and of things
domantur et domita sunt a natura humana      in the sea, is tamed, and hath been
                                             tamed of mankind:

3:8  linguam autem nullus hominum            8.  But the tongue can no man tame; it
domare potest inquietum malum plena          is an unruly evil, full of deadly
veneno mortifero                             poison.

3:9  in ipsa benedicimus Dominum et          9.  Therewith bless we God, even the
Patrem et in ipsa maledicimus homines        Father; and therewith curse we men,
qui ad similitudinem Dei facti sunt          which are made after the similitude of
                                             God.

3:10  ex ipso ore procedit benedictio        10.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth
et maledictio non oportet fratres mei        blessing and cursing. My brethren,
haec ita fieri                               these things ought not so to be.

3:11  numquid fons de eodem foramine         11.  Doth a fountain send forth at the
emanat dulcem et amaram aquam                same place sweet water and bitter?

3:12  numquid potest fratres mei ficus       12.  Can the fig tree, my brethren,
olivas facere aut vitis ficus sic neque      bear olive berries? either a vine,
salsa dulcem potest facere aquam             figs? so can no fountain both yield
                                             salt water and fresh.

3:13  quis sapiens et disciplinatus          13.  Who is a wise man and endued with
inter vos ostendat ex bona                   knowledge among you? let him shew out
conversatione operationem suam in            of a good conversation his works with
mansuetudine sapientiae                      meekness of wisdom.

3:14  quod si zelum amarum habetis et        14.  But if ye have bitter envying and
contentiones in cordibus vestris nolite      strife in your hearts, glory not, and
gloriari et mendaces esse adversus           lie not against the truth.
veritatem

3:15  non est ista sapientia desursum        15.  This wisdom descendeth not from
descendens sed terrena animalis              above, but is earthly, sensual,
diabolica                                    devilish.

3:16  ubi enim zelus et contentio ibi        16.  For where envying and strife is,
inconstantia et omne opus pravum             there is confusion and every evil work.

3:17  quae autem desursum est sapientia      17.  But the wisdom that is from above
primum quidem pudica est deinde              is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
pacifica modesta suadibilis plena            and easy to be intreated, full of mercy
misericordia et fructibus bonis non          and good fruits, without partiality,
iudicans sine simulatione                    and without hypocrisy.

3:18  fructus autem iustitiae in pace        18.  And the fruit of righteousness is
seminatur facientibus pacem                  sown in peace of them that make peace.