¹ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater condemnation.

² For in many things we sinne all. If any man sinne not in word, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body.

³ Beholde, we put bittes into the horses mouthes, that they should obey vs, and we turne about all their bodie.

⁴ Behold also the shippes, which though they be so great, and are driuen of fierce windes, yet are they turned about with a very small rudder, whither soeuer the gouernour listeth.

⁵ Euen so the tongue is a litle member, and boasteth of great things: beholde, howe great a thing a litle fire kindleth.

⁶ And the tongue is fire, yea, a worlde of wickednesse: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.

⁷ For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed, and hath bene tamed of the nature of man.

⁸ But the tongue can no man tame. It is an vnruly euill, full of deadly poyson.

⁹ Therewith blesse we God euen the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

¹⁰ Out of one mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be.

¹¹ Doeth a fountaine send forth at one place sweete water and bitter?

¹² Can ye figge tree, my brethren, bring forth oliues, either a vine figges? so can no fountaine make both salt water and sweete.

¹³ Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew by good conuersation his workes in meekenesse of wisdome.

¹⁴ But if ye haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts, reioyce not, neither be liars against the trueth.

¹⁵ This wisedome descendeth not from aboue, but is earthly, sensuall, and deuilish.

¹⁶ For where enuying and strife is, there is sedition, and all maner of euill workes.

¹⁷ But the wisedome that is from aboue, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easie to be intreated, full of mercie and good fruites, without iudging, and without hipocrisie.

¹⁸ And the fruite of righteousnesse is sowen in peace, of them that make peace.