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

2 F or we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.

3 B ehold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.

4 B ehold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.

5 T hus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!

6 a nd the tongue fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.

7 F or every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;

8 b ut the tongue can no one among men tame; an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.

9 T herewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after likeness of God.

10 O ut of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus.

11 D oes the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter?

12 C an, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither salt make sweet water.

13 W ho wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;

14 b ut if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

15 T his is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.

16 F or where emulation and strife, there disorder and every evil thing.

17 B ut the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.

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