1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a flawless man, able also to bridle the whole body.

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

4 Behold also the ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the helmsman desires.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. Behold, how large a forest a little fire kindles.

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. Thus the tongue is set among our members, defiling the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by Gehenna.

7 For every kind of beast and bird, and of creeping thing and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

8 But no man is able to tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the image of God.

10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, it is not fitting that these things be this way.

11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works out of good conduct, in the meekness of wisdom.

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

15 This wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

16 For where envy and contention exist, there is confusion and every evil deed.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, fair, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

18 Moreover the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.