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

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

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

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

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.

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

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: 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, 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 beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.

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 tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is 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 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 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 cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things 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 at the same place both sweet and bitter water?

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

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 wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of 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 ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against 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 a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

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

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

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

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 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 fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.

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