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 Gehinnom. 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 Do not become many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive a severe sentence.2 For in many things we all offend. If any one offend not in the word, he is a perfect man, able to rule, also, the whole body.3 Behold, we put bits into the mouths of horses, to make them obedient to us, and we turn about their whole body.4 Behold, also, the ships, which, though they be so great, and are driven by fierce winds, are turned about by a very small helm, whithersoever the power of the pilot determines:5 so, also, the tongue is a little member, yet it works mightily. Behold, how much wood a little fire kindles!6 Now the tongue is a fire-a world of iniquity; the tongue is so placed among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets the wheel of nature in a blaze, and is set on fire from hell.7 Now every species of wild beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of sea monsters, is subdued, and has been subdued by man:8 but the tongue of men, no one can subdue; it is an unruly evil thing, full of deadly poison.9 With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.10 Out of the same mouth proceed a blessing and a curse! My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11 Does a fountain send forth, from the same opening, sweet water and bitter?12 Can a fig-tree, my brethren, produces olives; or a vine, figs? So, no fountain can yield salt water and fresh.13 Is any one wise and intelligent among you? let him show, by good behavior, his works, with meekness of wisdom.14 But if you have bitter anger and strife in your heart, do you not boast and lie against the truth?15 This is not the wisdom which comes from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish:16 for where there is anger and strife, there is disorder, and every evil work.17 But the wisdom from above is, indeed, first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be persuaded, full of compassion and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, by them who practice peace.