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

My brethren, be not many masters, 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.

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

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

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about 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.

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

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!

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

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.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of 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,

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 b ut no man can tame the tongue, which is an evil that cannot be restrained and is full of deadly poison.

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, 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.

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

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

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

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

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

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.

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield 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.

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with 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.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

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

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 F or where there is envy and contention, there is confusion and every perverse work.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil 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.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

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

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