| 1 | Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment. |
| 2 | For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he [is] a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too. |
| 3 | Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies. |
| 4 | Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will. |
| 5 | Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles! |
| 6 | and the tongue [is] fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell. |
| 7 | For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species; |
| 8 | but the tongue can no one among men tame; [it is] an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison. |
| 9 | Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after [the] likeness of God. |
| 10 | Out of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus. |
| 11 | Does the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter? |
| 12 | Can, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither [can] salt [water] make sweet water. |
| 13 | Who [is] wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom; |
| 14 | but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. |
| 15 | This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish. |
| 16 | For where emulation and strife [are], there [is] disorder and every evil thing. |
| 17 | But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned. |
| 18 | But [the] fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace. |