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[1]My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
[2]For in many things we all offend. If any man offendeth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
[3]Behold, we put bits in the mouths of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
[4]Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor willeth.
[5]Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
[6]And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell.
[7]For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of animals in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:
[8]But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
[9]With this we bless God, even the Father; and with this we curse men, who are made after the similitude of God.
[10]Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
[11]Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
[12]Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? or a vine, figs? so no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh.
[13]Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by a good deportment his works with meekness of wisdom.
[14]But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
[15]This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demoniacal.
[16]For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
[17]But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
[18]And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace.
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