1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also. 3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. 4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. 5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna. 7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind; 8 but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God. 10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

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.: