¹ My brothers do not be many teachers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.

² For we all stumble in many ways . If any one does not stumble in word, this one is a mature man, able also to bridle the whole body.

³ Behold, we put bits in the mouths of the horses, for them to obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

⁴ Behold, the ships also, being so great, and being driven by violent winds, they are directed by a very small rudder, where the impulse of the one steering purposes.

⁵ So also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how little a fire kindles how large a forest!

⁶ And the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity. So the tongue is set among our members, spotting all the body, and inflaming the course of nature, and having been inflamed by Hell.

⁷ For every species of beasts, both indeed of birds, of creeping things, and of sea animals, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human species ;

⁸ but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; it is an evil that cannot be restrained, full of death-dealing poison.

⁹ By this we bless God and the Father; and by this we curse men having come into being according to the image of God. Gen. 1:26

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers it is not fitting for these things to be so.

¹¹ Does the fountain out of the same hole send forth the sweet and the bitter?

¹² My brothers, a fig tree is not able to produce olives, or a vine figs. So neither can a fountain produce both salt and sweet water.

¹³ Who is wise and knowing among you? Let him show his works by his good behavior, in meekness of wisdom.

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and contention in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.

¹⁵ This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but is earthly, beastly, devilish.

¹⁶ For where jealousy and contention are , there is confusion and every foul deed.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is firstly truly pure, then peaceable, forbearing, yielding, full of mercy and of good fruits, not partial and not pretended.

¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for the ones making peace.