• 1. My brethren, be not manie maisters, knowyng howe that we shall receaue the greater damnation:
  • 2. For in many thynges we sinne all. If a man sinne not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle all the body.
  • 3. Beholde, we put bittes in the horses mouthes, that they may obey vs, and we turne about all the body of them:
  • 4. Beholde also ye shippes, which though they be so great, and are dryuen of fierce windes, yet are they turned about with a very small helme, whither soeuer the violence of the gouernour wyll.
  • 5. Euen so the tongue is a litle member also, & boasteth great thynges. Beholde how great a matter a litle fire kindleth.
  • 6. And the tongue is fyre, euen a worlde of wickednesse. So is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fyre the course of nature, & it is set on fyre of hell.
  • 7. All the natures of beastes, & of byrdes, and of serpentes, and thynges of the sea, are meeked and tamed of the nature of man:
  • 8. But the tongue can no man tame, it is an vnruly euyll, full of deadly poyson.
  • 9. Therwith blesse we God the father: and therwith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
  • 10. Out of one mouth proceadeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these thynges ought not so to be.
  • 11. Doth a fountayne sende foorth at one place, sweete water, and bitter also?
  • 12. Can the fygge tree, my brethren, beare oliue beries? either a vine beare figges? So can no fountayne geue both salt water and freshe also.
  • 13. Who is a wise man, and endued with knoweledge among you? let him shewe his workes out of good conuersation with mekenesse of wisdome.
  • 14. But yf ye haue bitter enuiyng & strife in your hearte, glorie not, neither be lyers agaynst the trueth.
  • 15. For such wisdome descendeth not fro aboue: but is earthlie, sensuall, and deuelishe.
  • 16. For where enuiyng and strife is, there is sedition & all maner of euyll workes.
  • 17. But the wisdome that is from aboue, is first pure, then peaseable, gentle, and easie to be entreated, full of mercie and good fruites, without iudgyng, without simulation:
  • 18. Yea, and the fruite of ryghteousnes is sowen in peace, of the that make peace.