James 3:1

The Power of the Tongue

3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, 1  because you know that we will be judged more strictly. 2 

James 4:14

4:14 You 3  do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? 4  For you are a puff of smoke 5  that appears for a short time and then vanishes.

1 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

2 tn Grk “will receive a greater judgment.”

3 tn Grk “who” (continuing the description of the people of v. 13). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

4 tn Or “you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.”

5 tn Or “a vapor.” The Greek word ἀτμίς (atmis) denotes a swirl of smoke arising from a fire (cf. Gen 19:28; Lev 16:13; Joel 2:30 [Acts 2:19]; Ezek 8:11).