1 N ot many should become teachers ( self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity.

¶ My brethren, make not unto yourselves many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 F or we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech, he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.

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 I f we set bits in the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about.

Behold, we put bits (or restraint) in the horses’ mouths to persuade them, and we govern their whole body.

4 L ikewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.

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 E ven so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze!

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 A nd the tongue is a fire. world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man’s nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna).

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 F or every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature).

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 B ut the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison.

but no man can tame the tongue, which is an evil that cannot be restrained and is full of deadly poison.

9 W ith it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness!

With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.

10 O ut of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.

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

11 D oes a fountain send forth from the same opening fresh water and bitter?

Does a fountain send forth at the same place both sweet and bitter water?

12 C an a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.

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 W ho is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his works with the humility of true wisdom.

¶ Who is wise and ready among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom.

14 B ut if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, boast not and do not be liars against the truth.

15 T his wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).

This wisdom is not that which descends from above, but is earthly, natural, diabolical.

16 F or wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.

For where there is envy and contention, there is confusion and every perverse work.

17 B ut the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).

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 A nd the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is sown in peace by those who work for and make peace.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace unto those that make peace.