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 one offends not in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

³ Behold, we put bits into horses mouths that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.

⁴ Behold also the ships, which are very great, and are driven by violent winds; yet they are turned about by a very small helm, to whatever point the will of him that directs it may determine.

⁵ So, also, the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest does a little fire set in a blaze.

⁶ And the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity. So is the tongue placed among our members, defiling the whole body, setting on fire the course of life, and being set on fire by hell.

⁷ For every kind of beasts and of birds, of creeping things and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by man:

⁸ but the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil; it is full of deadly poison.

⁹ With it we bless God, even the Father: and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not so to be.

¹¹ Does a fountain send forth from the same cavern sweet water and bitter?

¹² Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olives, or the vine, figs? So no fountain can produce salt water and fresh.

¹³ Who is wise and discreet among you? Let him show, by a good behavior, his works, with the meekness of wisdom.

¹⁴ But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

¹⁵ This wisdom comes not from above, but is earthly, animal, demoniac.

¹⁶ For where envy and strife are, there is commotion, and every evil work.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

¹⁸ And those who cultivate peace, sow for themselves a harvest of righteousness in peace.