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

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

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 stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

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

Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

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.

Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot 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!

So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

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, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by 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 species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.

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

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and 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 our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

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

from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

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

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

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, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. Wisdom from Above

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

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness 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 you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie 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 comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

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

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

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 pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

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

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.