SIL Translator’s Notes on James 2012 – Page 8

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:6

3:6

In 3:6, James applied the illustration of 3:5c–d to the tongue. Like a fire, the tongue can be destructive.

In this verse, James made a general statement that applies to everyone. Some languages make general statements in other ways. For example:

A person’s tongue
-or-
Your tongues
-or-
Our tongues

3:6a

The tongue also is a fire: The clause The tongue also is a fire is a metaphor. In this metaphor, the tongue is compared to a fire. Some ways that they are similar are that both can destroy things and cannot be controlled.

In some languages, a literal translation of this metaphor may be difficult to understand. Some other ways to translate it are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

the tongue is like a fire (Good News Translation)

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:

the tongue can destroy like a fire
-or-
the words that the tongue says are like a fire because they can destroy
-or-
The words that we say with our tongue/mouth can cause much harm just like a fire can cause much harm

also: The word also indicates that, in addition to ordinary fires, there is another thing that has characteristics similar to a fire. It is the tongue.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

too
-or-
as well
-or-
similarly

3:6b

Some versions begin a new sentence here. For example:

It is a world… (Good News Translation)

a world of wickedness: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a world of wickedness means that the tongue can do much evil. (Differences of interpretation regarding the meaning of “world of evil” are reflected in English versions and discussed at length in commentaries. The two main views are:(1) “world” is used in the common biblical sense of the evil world-system that includes all that opposes God and his ways, and(2) “world” is used as sort of a metaphor for something huge that contains all sorts of things.According to interpretation (1), James was saying that the tongue is the part of our body that has the greatest tendency to serve the evil world-system that is opposed to God. According to interpretation (2), James was highlighting the tongue’s great capacity for all sorts of evil. The majority of English versions (which translate in a way similar to “the tongue … is a world of evil”) will be understood to follow interpretation (2). The majority of commentators (including Davids, page 142; Johnson, page 259; Laws, pages 149–150; Moo (2000), page 157; McCartney, page 187; Mitton, pages 126–127; Mayor, pages 114–115, Martin, page 114; SSA, pages 96–97; Translator’s Handbook, page 109) favor interpretation (1). They argue that this sense of “world” is common to the Bible and particularly to James, while the meaning of “world” according to interpretation (2) is extremely rare. The definite article “the” preceding “world,” they say, also supports understanding “world” in its common and specific sense as the evil world system.In the notes, we have chosen not to present this as an interpretation issue for the following reasons:a) the difference between the two interpretations is slight when one considers the meaning of the metaphor: the tongue has great capacity for evil.b) Many languages do not use the word “world” in a figurative sense to mean what is suggested for either interpretation (1) or (2). So giving translation models for each that do not use the word “world” is quite difficult.c) The idea that the tongue “represents” the evil world (as some would translate interpretation (1), see Revised English Bible, for example) and the idea that the tongue is a huge sphere/realm where evil takes place are both quite abstract. We preferred to present a more concrete and simple model for translation.) Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

it is very, very evil
-or-
It is an evil power (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
it is against God

among the parts of the body: James was comparing the tongue with the other parts of the body, like the nose, fingers, and legs. He said that it was the tongue that was causing the trouble.

Some languages do not have a general word or expression for “part of the body.” Another way to translate this word is:

in our bodies

3:6c

It pollutes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pollutes literally means “stains.” Here it is used in a figurative sense to refer to the tongue’s negative, evil effects on a person’s inner character.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

it corrupts (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
it completely contaminates (God’s Word)
-or-
It stains (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
It can poison (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
and spreading evil (Good News Translation)
-or-
it makes dirty

A related Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “polluted” occurs in 1:27c.

the whole person: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the whole person is literally “all the body.” In this context, it is referring to the inner, moral being of the person, including his thoughts and emotions.

Some other ways to translate this are:

the whole body
-or-
all the parts of your being
-or-
the whole inner being

3:6d

sets the course of his life on fire: This clause is another description of the destructive power of the tongue. Here, James again used the metaphor of fire.

There are two main ways to interpret this clause:

(1) It refers to a person’s entire existence from birth to death. According to this interpretation, the evils of a person’s tongue have a destructive effect on every part of his life. (Huther, page 157; Mayor, page 113; Mitton, page 128; Hiebert, pages 217–218; Laws, page 150; Davids (1982), page 143; Moo (1985), page 125; Martin, page 115.) For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

sets a person’s entire life on fire

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, God’s Word, English Standard Version)

(2) It refers to the events of nature, for example, from one season to the next. According to this interpretation, the evils of a person’s tongue have a destructive effect on the whole created world. (Alford, page 306; Ropes, page 235.) For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

the cycle of nature

(King James Version, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

From the general context of James’ letter, it seems that he is concerned with relationships between human beings, not the rest of the created world. This is the view of the majority of commentators. Therefore it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

There are at least two ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

sets a person’s entire life on fire (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
burns every aspect of his life
-or-
turns his whole life to ashes

• Translate the meaning without keeping the figure of speech. For example:

ruins the whole life of a person
-or-
is able to destroy his entire life

3:6e

and is itself set on fire by hell: The pronoun itself refers to the tongue. The tongue gets its fire from hell. Hell is the source of the tongue’s destructive fire/power. This implies that hell has given to the tongue the power to ruin lives.

This clause does not mean that the tongue itself is burned or destroyed.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and it is as if the fire of hell is in it
-or-
with flames that come from hell itself (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and it gets its power to destroy from hell itself

by hell: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hell refers to the place where Satan, his demons, and ungodly people will be punished after the final Day of Judgment.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

eternal fire
-or-
the place of unending fire
-or-
Satan

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:7

Paragraph 3:7–8

In this paragraph, James contrasted taming wild animals with taming the tongue.

3:7

In Greek, a conjunction connects 3:7 to the verses before it. Older English versions translate this conjunction as “For” (as in the Revised Standard Version). However, this verse is not giving a reason for something. This conjunction introduces some further thoughts on the dangers of the tongue. Most modern English versions do not use any connecting word here. If your language uses a word to introduce further thoughts on a topic, then you may want to use it here.

Some examples of how to translate this word are:

Furthermore
-or-
Moreover
-or-
In addition

3:7a

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea: In this verse, all living creatures are divided into four categories:

(a) animals

(b) birds

(d) creatures of the sea

Different languages divide living creatures in different ways. So it may not be possible to find exact words in your language for each of these four categories. In some languages, it is more natural to divide living creatures in some other way. For example:

wild animals, birds, snakes, and fish
-or-
animals that walk, animals that crawl, animals that fly, and animals that swim
-or-
every kind of moving thing, even birds and snakes

Some languages have only two or three categories. Use the divisions that are natural in your language.

animals: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as animals refers to certain four-footed animals that live on land. It could include the animals that people normally keep under their control like cows, sheep, goats, and dogs. However, the animals in focus here are those that normally live in the wild and that men go out to hunt. These are animals like deer, antelopes, wild pigs, and so on.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

wild animals (Good News Translation)
-or-
bush animals

birds: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as birds includes all kinds of birds. James may have wanted to include other flying things as well like bats, locusts, and other insects.

reptiles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reptiles refers to all creatures that move about close to the ground. This includes creatures that slide along the ground such as snakes. It also includes creatures that run close to the ground such as lizards.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

creatures that crawl on the ground (Revised English Bible)
-or-
snakes

creatures of the sea: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as creatures of the sea includes all creatures that live in water. This includes fish, whales, eels, crabs, and so on.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

creatures that…swim in the sea (Revised English Bible)
-or-
fish (Good News Translation)

3:7b

are being tamed and have been tamed: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tamed occurs twice in 3:7b. This verb is a general word that means “gained control” over a creature. “To gain control” over an animal is: (a) to tame it to be a pet, (b) to make it work for someone, (c) to stop it from eating crops, and even (d) to kill it and eat it. (F. Field, Notes on the Translation of the NT , pages 237–238. Mitton, pages 129–130, says, “[The Greek word] would represent also man’s power to destroy such animals as threatened human welfare, as well as to compel other animals to submit to domestic service.”) The English word “tamed” is perhaps too specific a word here. It covers only part of the meaning.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

subdued (Revised English Bible)
-or-
caused to be submissive
-or-
made to obey
-or-
controlled

The word tamed occurs twice, but the second time the tense is different. This is to make the point that taming creatures has always happened. Men are doing it today, and they have been doing it since the world began.

Both of these verbs are passive. There are at least two ways to translate them:

• Use passive verbs. For example:

can be subdued and have been subdued by man (Revised English Bible)

• Use active verbs. This may involve reordering 3:7a–b. For example:

People can tame every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and fish, and they have tamed them. (New Century Version)

man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as man means “mankind” or the “human race.” Here the focus is on all humans as a group.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

people
-or-
humans
-or-
human beings

General Comment on 3:7a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to put 3:7b before 3:7a. For example:

^7bHuman beings are subduing and have subdued ^7aall kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea.

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:8

3:8a

but: There is a contrast between 3:7 and 3:8a. People are able to tame all of the creatures mentioned in 3:7, but no one can tame the tongue.

Some other ways to translate this contrast are:

However
-or-
Yet (God’s Word)
-or-
In contrast

no man can tame the tongue: James was referring to people being unable to control their own tongues. In some languages, it may be best to supply that implicit information by using a pronoun. For example:

no man can tame his own tongue.

no man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as man is the same word that James used in 3:7b. Here the focus is on each individual human. So it refers to women as well as to men.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

no human being (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
no one (Revised English Bible)
-or-
no person

tame: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tame is the same word as in 3:7b. If it is unnatural to use the same word here, you may be able to use a word meaning “control.” For example:

But our tongues get out of control. (Contemporary English Version)

the tongue: As in 3:5a, the tongue represents the words that we speak with our tongues. In some languages, “the lips” or “the mouth” represent the words that a person says. Use the same expression here as in 3:5a.

3:8b

It is a restless evil: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as restless primarily means “unstable.” The sense of “unstable” in this context includes:

(a) The tongue is restless. It does not rest but is always busy doing evil. For example:

It is restless and evil (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
it is a pest that will not keep still (New Jerusalem Bible)

(b) The tongue is uncontrollable.

The two meanings are close. Something that is restless and determined to do evil is probably also uncontrollable. If you have a word that is close in meaning to both “restless” and “uncontrollable,” it would be good to use it here.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

always busy doing evil
-or-
constantly doing wrong

3:8c

full of deadly poison: The phrase full of deadly poison is a metaphor. In this metaphor, James compared the human tongue to the mouth of a poisonous snake. (Compare Psalm 58:3–4 and Psalm 140:3 for the thought.) One way that they are similar is that both can do great harm.

There are at least three ways to translate this phrase:

• Keep the metaphor. If it is not difficult to understand the metaphor in your language, then you should keep the metaphor. For example:

always spreading deadly poison (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a simile and add the meaning. For example:

very harmful like the venom from a poisonous snake

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

a source of terrible harm/pain

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:9

Paragraph 3:9–12

In this paragraph, James showed how inconsistent the tongue is. Both good words and bad words come out of the same mouth. This is something that should not happen. It is also contrary to nature.

3:9a

With the tongue: As in 3:5a, the tongue represents the words that we speak with our tongues. In some languages, “the lips” or “the mouth” represent the words that a person says.

we bless our Lord and Father: This clause is a general statement. In some languages, it is more natural to use a different noun or pronoun in place of the pronoun we. For example:

people praise their Lord and Father
-or-
you^(plur) praise your Lord and Father

we bless: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as we bless means “speak well” of God, “praise” God or “thank” God. It contrasts with the phrase “curse men” in 3:9b.

James was perhaps thinking of prayer here. Jews, and no doubt Jewish Christians, started many of their prayers of praise to God with the words “Blessed are you.”

Some other ways to translate this word are:

we speak well of
-or-
we praise (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
We…give thanks (Good News Translation)

our Lord and Father:

Some manuscripts and the King James Version have “God” instead of “Lord.” “Lord” has the strongest manuscript support and is followed by the majority of English versions. The phrase our Lord and Father contains two titles that both refer to the one God. Make sure your translation clearly refers to one God.

Some ways to do this are:

the one who is our Lord and our Father
-or-
our Lord who is our Father

our Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “one who is in authority,” or “master.” Here it refers to God. He is the one who has supreme authority.

Some other ways to translate Lord are:

our Master
-or-
our Owner
-or-
our supreme Chief/Leader
-or-
God, our Lord

3:9b

we curse: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as we curse means “we speak against a person.” It means “we call on God (or another spiritual power) to do harm to someone.” It is stronger than insulting or abusing someone. It is the opposite of blessing a person.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

we speak evil against
-or-
we condemn with words
-or-
we call upon God to harm

men: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as men refers to human beings in general. It includes women and children. Check how you translated this same word in 3:7b and 3:8a.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

people
-or-
other human beings

It is particularly important here to use a word that includes all human beings. This is so that your translation does not convey the wrong meaning that only men “have been made in God’s likeness” (in 3:9c).

3:9c

The clause in 3:9c points out why it is wrong for the same tongue to praise God and then curse men. It is wrong because humans are made in God’s likeness. Doing such a thing is praising God and then cursing his likeness.

who have been made in God’s likeness: The Berean Standard Bible and most other English versions translate 3:9c as a relative clause. In some languages, translating this clause as a relative clause may imply that there are other people who have not been created in God’s likeness. It may also hide the point that cursing men is cursing God’s likeness.

Some other ways to translate this clause to give the correct meaning are:

and they have been made in God’s likeness
-or-
though they are made in God’s likeness (Revised English Bible)
-or-
in spite of the fact that they are created in God’s likeness

have been made in God’s likeness: The Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek verb here as the passive verb have been made. Some ways to translate this verb are:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

who were created to be like God (Contemporary English Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

whom God made like himself (New Century Version)

in God’s likeness: The phrase in God’s likeness indicates that God made people to resemble him in certain ways. Theologians debate as to what ways people are in God’s likeness. Some of the ways they suggest are: people can love, talk, create, reason, make moral choices, rule God’s creation, and appreciate beauty. You will not want to say all this in your translation. But avoid translating this in a way that will make readers think that people look like God. It is speaking more of their character and abilities, not of their physical appearance.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are in the examples above.

This phrase comes from Genesis 1:26.

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:10

3:10

In this verse, James summarized the statement he made in 3:9 and then made a comment on it.

3:10a

Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing: In some languages, blessing and cursing are not normally described as things that can come or go. So it may not be possible to translate this clause literally. It may be necessary to say something like:

We use our mouths both to bless and to curse.
-or-
The same mouth speaks praises and curses.
-or-
with our tongues we speak both praises and curses (Contemporary English Version)

blessing and cursing: When you translate the words blessing and cursing, use words that are the same as, or related to, the words you used in 3:9. For example:

blessing and cursing (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
you speak well of one and evil against the other

3:10b

My brothers: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as My brothers refers to other believers in Christ. It refers to both the men and women to whom James was writing. James used the term of address My brothers here to soften his rebuke (“this should not be”). You may have another way in your language to soften a rebuke and could use it here.

This same phrase occurs at 1:2a.

The Greek text actually places the phrase My brothers in the middle of “this should not be.” In some languages, it may be more natural to place it at the end. For example:

This should not be so, my friends. (Revised English Bible)

this should not be!: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this should not be is a strong rebuke. It means that it is quite wrong for people to speak both praises and curses. James is not saying that it is wrong to speak praises. He is saying that it is wrong to speak curses.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

this should not happen (God’s Word)
-or-
this isn’t right (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
what is being done should not be like that
-or-
we should not do this

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:11

3:11–12

In 3:11–12, James supported his teaching with illustrations from nature. He showed how inconsistent it is for the same mouth to speak both good and bad words.

3:11

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?: In Greek, this sentence is more literally, “Does a spring pour out both fresh and bitter water from the same hole?” Notice that the Berean Standard Bible has combined the words “spring” and “hole” into one expression.

This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to emphasize that a spring certainly does not give two types of water from the same hole.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Can clean water and dirty water both flow from the same spring? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? (NET Bible)
-or-
Fresh water and salt water cannot both flow from the same spring, right?

• As a statement. For example:

No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Obviously good and bad water do not both flow from the same spring.

Translate this sentence in a way that is natural in your language for emphasizing well-known facts.

fresh water: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fresh water describes water that tastes good. Some other ways to translate this word are:

good water
-or-
drinking water
-or-
clean water

Some English versions (Good News Translation, King James Version) translate this word as “sweet water.” But this does not mean that the water has been sweetened. It is an expression that means that the water is good to drink.

salt water: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as salt water describes water that tastes foul or bitter. It is water that is not good to drink.

This Greek word does not literally mean salt. Some English versions translate it as salt water:

(a) to contrast it with fresh water,

(b) because the word “salt” occurs in 3:12c where is it contrasted with fresh water, and

Some other ways to translate this word are:

dirty/bad water
-or-
polluted water (God’s Word)
-or-
bitter water
-or-
brackish water (Revised English Bible)

spring: A spring is a source of water where the water flows out from a hole in the ground or rock. Some other ways to translate this word are:

water source
-or-
place where water springs/pours out
-or-
place in the ground where water comes/gushes out

In languages where springs are not known, the word spring can be translated as “a water well.”

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:12

3:12a–b

can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this question to rebuke his readers by emphasizing a well-known fact: each plant produces its own kind of fruit. He was saying that a fig tree certainly cannot produce olives and a grapevine cannot produce figs. This means that good people should not produce curses.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Can a fig tree produce olives…or a vine produce figs? (NET Bible)
-or-
A fig tree cannot bear olives, and a grapevine cannot bear figs, right?

• As a statement. For example:

A fig tree…cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs (Good News Translation)
-or-
A fig tree certainly cannot produce olives, and a grapevine certainly cannot produce figs.

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

fig tree…olives…grapevine…figs: In many languages, there are no words for the exact kinds of trees and fruit that James mentions here. However, the important part of the meaning here is not the exact kind of tree or fruit. The point is the fact that a tree cannot bear fruit that is not of its own kind.

James used these particular trees and fruits in his illustration because they were common in the region where he lived. Figs were a delicious fruit that was typical of the good things of that land. Olives were important as the main source oil used for cooking in that region. Grapes were squeezed to obtain juice, which was made into wine, the main drink of the region.

One way to translate these terms is to use trees and fruit that are common in your area. For example:

Does a guava tree produce mangos? Or does a passion fruit vine produce guavas? Of course not!

3:12a

My brothers: Once again, James used the term of address My brothers to soften the rebuke in 3:10–12.

See the notes on “my brothers” at 1:2a and 3:10b.

3:12c

Neither: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Neither introduces the last sentence of this paragraph. Some other ways to begin this sentence are:

Likewise
-or-
In the same way (God’s Word)
-or-
It is just as impossible (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

The picture has changed from trees and their fruit back to a spring and its water. The point here is not only that one kind of spring cannot produce water of a different kind. The point is that a bad spring cannot produce good water. (The translation of King James Version “so can no fountain [that is, spring] both yield salt water and fresh” depends on different manuscript copies from the ones followed by the modern versions. The text followed by King James Version says the same thing in other words as 3:11, but the text that Berean Standard Bible and the other modern versions follow says that bad cannot produce good. This is an advance in James’ argument, preparing the way for the next section 3:13–18. Therefore it seems likely that the text followed here by King James Version is not original, and so it is not recommended.) The implied information is that bad people cannot produce good praise to God.

salt spring: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as salt spring is literally “salty.” (The noun spring is not in the Greek text here but is implied from 3:11.) This word is different than the word meaning “bitter” (Berean Standard Bible “salt”) in 3:11. But the meaning is similar. It refers to a spring that always produces water that is not good to drink.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

a spring whose water tastes salty
-or-
a spring that produces water not fit to drink

In Israel, there are springs that are so full of minerals that it is not safe to drink the water. If salt springs are unknown in your area, you may want to replace salt spring with something that is more common in your area. For example:

a salty pool (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
a salt pond (English Standard Version)
-or-
a well that gives foul water

fresh water: Here the phrase fresh water refers to water that tastes good. This same word occurs in 3:11.

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:13

Section 3:13–18

The wisdom of God is quite different from the wisdom of the devil

This section has three paragraphs. First, in 3:13 James introduced the topic of wisdom. Then he continued with two paragraphs. In each paragraph he discussed one type of wisdom. The first type he discussed (in 3:14–16) is the false wisdom that does not come from God. The second type he discussed (in 3:17–18) is the true wisdom that does come from God.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

True Wisdom Comes from God (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
Two Kinds of Wisdom (New International Version (2011 Revision))

Paragraph 3:13

This verse introduces the topic of spiritual wisdom by challenging people who claim to be wise. James said that their claim must be tested.

See the General Comment on 3:13a–c at the end of 3:13c for ways to reorder this verse.

3:13a

Who is wise and understanding among you?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to focus on a specific group of people and to address them. He addressed those who thought that they were wise and understanding. For example:

Who among you thinks/says that he is wise and understanding?

Some ways to translate this rhetorical question are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? (New Century Version)
-or-
Do any of you have wisdom and insight? (God’s Word)

• As a conditional clause. For example:

If you are wise and understand God’s ways (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

• As a statement. For example:

Anyone who thinks he is wise and understanding
-or-
Regarding those who think that they are wise and understanding
-or-
Now I want to talk to those of you who think/claim that you are wise and understanding.

Translate this rhetorical question in a way that is natural in your language.

is wise and understanding: The two Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wise and understanding are a doublet. This means that these two words mean almost the same thing. In some languages, both words can be translated by one emphatic word or phrase. For example:

truly wise

is wise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wise here describes a person who lives in a way that agrees with what God wants. Wisdom in the Bible is concerned with choosing between right and wrong actions.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

has wisdom
-or-
thinking is good
-or-
makes good/godly choices

understanding: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as understanding here describes a person who knows what is right and what is wrong.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

has insight
-or-
is perceptive

3:13b

Let him show it: The clause Let him show it is a command. The pronoun him refers to the person in 3:13a who is wise and understanding. The verb show here means “prove to everyone” or “demonstrate.” The pronoun it refers to the claim to be wise in 3:13a. So this clause means:

He must show/prove to others that he is wise and understanding

Another way to translate this clause is:

He must do what is wise and understanding, then people will know/see it in him.

Your translation of this clause must correspond with the way you translated “Who is…” in 3:13a. For example:

^13aDo any of you have wisdom…? ^13bShow this… (God’s Word)
-or-
^13aIf you are wise…, ^13bprove it… (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
^13aAre there those among you who are truly wise…? ^13bThen they should show it (New Century Version)
-or-
^13aA person who thinks that he is wise ^13bmust prove that he has wisdom.

by his good conduct: The phrase by his good conduct is the means by which a person shows that he is wise. The phrase good conduct refers to the person’s good behavior or good conduct. (The King James Version says “out of a good conversation.” When the King James Version was translated, the word “conversation” meant “behavior.”)

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

by his good life (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
by living right (New Century Version)
-or-
with/through his good behavior
-or-
in his good works

3:13c

by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom: There are several ways to connect this phrase to the rest of the verse:

(a) Make it a more specific restatement of the phrase “by his good conduct” (in 3:13b). For example:

^13bYou are to prove it by your good life, ^13cby your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom. (Good News Translation)

(b) Make it the second clause that is parallel to “by his good conduct.” For example:

^13bThen show it by living right ^13cand by being humble and wise in everything you do. (Contemporary English Version)

^13bhe should show ^13chis works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. (NET Bible) (The NET Bible accurately follows the Greek grammar here by translating “his works” as the object of the verb “show.” However, this solution makes it difficult to naturally connect the phrase “by his good conduct” (3:13b) to the rest of the sentence.)

deeds done in…humility: The clause deeds done in…humility means “good deeds that are done with a humble attitude.” In other words, the deeds are done modestly and not proudly. (It is not clear from the Greek text whether the phrase in the humility that comes from wisdom is to be connected to the word “show” or whether it is to be connected to the word “deeds.” In other words, does it mean that when the man shows the deeds he has done, he is to do it humbly, not proudly? Or does it mean that the deeds he has done must be deeds that are done humbly, not selfishly? The second interpretation makes better sense in the context and is accepted by Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version (2011 Revision), and many commentators.)

deeds: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deeds is more literally “works” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This word refers to “good deeds.” It refers to good activities that people do out of love for God or for other people. This same word occurs in 2:14c.

the humility that comes from wisdom: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the humility that comes from wisdom is literally “the humility/meekness of wisdom.” This probably means the humility that comes from wisdom (as the Berean Standard Bible translates it). In other words, wisdom is the source from which humility comes.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the gentleness that wisdom brings (NET Bible)
-or-
humility. This humility comes from wisdom

When someone has humility that comes from wisdom, he has both humility and wisdom. So another way to translate this phrase is:

humility and wisdom (Good News Translation) (The Translator’s Handbook (page 122) and Exegetical Summary (page 136) both treat “humility and wisdom” (Good News Translation) as a separate interpretation from “humility that comes from wisdom.” However it is not certain whether the Good News Translation (and similar Contemporary English Version) really interpret the meaning of the genitive differently or have simply chosen to translate it differently.)

humility: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as humility refers to a submissive and teachable attitude. This attitude is expressed by a person being gentle or mild rather than being harsh or ready to fight.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

meekness (English Standard Version)
-or-
gentleness (New Century Version)
-or-
being mild

See the note on 1:21c “humbly” which translates the same phrase in Greek.

wisdom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wisdom here refers to the ability to know and choose what is right. Use an expression that corresponds to the one you have chosen for “wise” in 3:13a.

General Comment on 3:13a–c

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of some of the clauses in 3:13a–c. For example:

^13aYou who claim to be wise and to perceive things well ^13bneed to prove it. In order to prove it, you should behave well. ^13cThat is, you should do good without boasting about it. This is the attitude that wise people have.
-or-
^13aSome of you think that you are wise and understand what is right and wrong. ^13bSo then, behave well. ^13cDo good deeds in a gentle/humble way. ^13bThis will show/prove that you are wise, ^13csince truly wise people are humble.

General Comment on 3:13c

In some languages, it may be necessary to divide this complex clause into several sentences. For example:

^13cHe must also show his wisdom by his good deeds. He does these good deeds with a humble attitude. This humility comes from wisdom.
-or-
^13cHe must do good and not think he is great or important. That way he will show people that he is wise.

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on James 2012

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:6

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:7

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:8

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:9

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:10

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:11

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:12

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:13

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