• 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.