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 man offendeth not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

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

⁴ Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and [are] driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor willeth.

⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

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

⁷ For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of animals in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:

⁸ But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ With this we bless God, even the Father; and with this we curse men, who are made after the similitude of God.

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

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

¹² Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? or a vine, figs? so no fountain [can] yield both salt water and fresh.

¹³ Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by a good deportment his works with meekness of wisdom.

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

¹⁵ This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, demoniacal.

¹⁶ For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.

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

¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace.