¹ My brethren, make not unto yourselves many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

² For we all offend in many things. If any man offends not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to govern the whole body with restraint.

³ Behold, we put bits ([or restraint]) in the horses' mouths to persuade them, and we govern their whole body.

⁴ Behold also the ships, which though [they are] so great are driven of fierce winds, yet they are governed with a very small rudder, wherever the governor desires.

⁵ In the same manner, the tongue is a very small member and boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire kindles!

⁶ And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

⁷ For every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of beings in the sea may be tamed and is tamed by mankind,

⁸ but no man can tame the tongue, which is an evil that cannot be restrained and 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 image of God.

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

¹¹ Does a fountain send forth at the same place [both] sweet and bitter [water]?

¹² Can the fig tree, my brethren, produce olive berries? or the vine, figs? In the same manner no fountain [can] yield both salt water and fresh.

¹³ Who is wise and ready among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom.

¹⁴ But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, boast not and do not be liars against the truth.

¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which descends from above, but [is] earthly, natural, diabolical.

¹⁶ For where there is envy and contention, there [is] confusion and every perverse work.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, modest, benevolent, full of mercy and of good fruits, not judgmental, unfeigned.

¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace unto those that make peace.: