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, be not many masters, 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 in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

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 in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about 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 be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

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!

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

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 defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of 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 kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of 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 the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, 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!

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude 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 proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

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

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

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, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield 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 a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with 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, glory not, and lie not 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 descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

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 envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil 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, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

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 of them that make peace.