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[1]Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.
[2]For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, *he* [is] a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.
[3]Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.
[4]Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.
[5]Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!
[6]and the tongue [is] fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.
[7]For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;
[8]but the tongue can no one among men tame; [it is] an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.
[9]Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after [the] likeness of God.
[10]Out of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus.
[11]Does the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter?
[12]Can, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither [can] salt [water] make sweet water.
[13]Who [is] wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;
[14]but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
[15]This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.
[16]For where emulation and strife [are], there [is] disorder and every evil thing.
[17]But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.
[18]But [the] fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.
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