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

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

4 B ehold 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 I n 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, 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 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 no man can tame the tongue, which is an evil that cannot be restrained and is full of deadly poison.

9 W ith 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 proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

11 D oes a fountain send forth at the same place both sweet and bitter water?

12 C an 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 ¶ 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 envying and strife in your hearts, boast not and do not be liars against the truth.

15 T his wisdom is not that which descends from above, but is earthly, natural, diabolical.

16 F or 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, modest, benevolent, full of mercy and of good fruits, not judgmental, unfeigned.

18 A nd the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace unto those that make peace.