1 B e not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

Not 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.

2 F or in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

For 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.

3 N ow if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.

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

4 B ehold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.

Likewise, 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.

5 S o the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

Even 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!

6 A nd the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.

And 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).

7 F or every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.

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

8 B ut the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.

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

9 T herewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

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

10 o ut of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

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

11 D oth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?

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

12 C an a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water yield sweet.

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

13 W ho is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.

Who 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.

14 B ut if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

But 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.

15 T his wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

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

16 F or where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.

For 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.

17 B ut the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.

But 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).

18 A nd the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.

And 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.